Med Lab Scientist Salary

Branson vs Springfield: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Branson, MO and Springfield, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Branson, MO
$55,292
$26.58/hr
Springfield, MO
$56,217
$27.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBranson, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$55,292$56,217
Hourly Rate$26.58$27.02
Entry Level (P10)$37,624$40,991
25th Percentile$43,841$48,451
75th Percentile$69,747$76,106
Top Earner (P90)$83,612$92,118
Total Employed4430
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Branson ($55,292) and Springfield ($56,217) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BransonSpringfieldMedian Salary$55,292$56,217Entry Level (P10)$37,624$40,991Top Earner (P90)$83,612$92,118US Median $68,734

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Branson.

The salary gap between Branson and Springfield is $925 (1.67%). Springfield's median is -18.21% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Branson spans $45,988,Springfield spans $51,127. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Branson
P10 (Entry)$37,624
P25$43,841
Median$55,292
P75$69,747
P90 (Top)$83,612
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$40,991
P25$48,451
Median$56,217
P75$76,106
P90 (Top)$92,118

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($63,461 effective) pays 2.84% more than Branson ($61,710 effective).

Branson
Nominal: $55,292
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $61,710
Springfield
Nominal: $56,217
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $63,461

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Branson if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,217/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,118)
  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,461)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Branson grew 0.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 44.1% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Branson, MO

+0.7%

$53,289 (2024) → $53,661 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+44.1%

$37,870 (2019) → $54,558 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Branson or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $56,217/year, compared to Branson at $55,292/year — a difference of $925 (1.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Branson and Springfield?

Branson medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $26.58/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $27.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Branson to Springfield as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Branson and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Branson = $61,710, Springfield = $63,461), job availability (4 vs 430 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Branson vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $37,624 in Branson and $40,991 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP)

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory science. She specializes in molecular diagnostics. She works at a large metropolitan hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Jerome Patel, BS, MT(ASCP)Data verified by Fatima Hussain, MS, CLS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.04% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP), a licensed medical and clinical laboratory technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov