Med Lab Scientist Salary

Buffalo vs Hempstead: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Buffalo, NY and Hempstead, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$85,248
$40.99/hr
Hempstead, NY
$85,722
$41.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYHempstead, NY
Median Salary$85,248$85,722
Hourly Rate$40.99$41.22
Entry Level (P10)$52,831$52,998
25th Percentile$66,942$64,525
75th Percentile$96,650$109,724
Top Earner (P90)$113,712$132,869
Total Employed7109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($85,248) and Hempstead ($85,722) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BuffaloHempsteadMedian Salary$85,248$85,722Entry Level (P10)$52,831$52,998Top Earner (P90)$113,712$132,869US Median $68,734

Verdict

Hempstead, NY offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Buffalo.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Hempstead is $474 (0.56%). Hempstead's median is +24.72% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $60,881,Hempstead spans $79,871. Hempstead has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$52,831
P25$66,942
Median$85,248
P75$96,650
P90 (Top)$113,712
Hempstead
P10 (Entry)$52,998
P25$64,525
Median$85,722
P75$109,724
P90 (Top)$132,869

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($88,945 effective) pays 20.26% more than Hempstead ($73,962 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $85,248
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $88,945
Hempstead
Nominal: $85,722
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $73,962

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Larger job market (710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,945)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Hempstead if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,722/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,869)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Buffalo grew 35.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.1% growth in Hempstead over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+35.4%

$61,100 (2019) → $82,733 (2025)

Hempstead, NY

+-7.1%

$89,520 (2024) → $83,193 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Buffalo or Hempstead?

Hempstead has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $85,722/year, compared to Buffalo at $85,248/year — a difference of $474 (0.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Hempstead?

Buffalo medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40.99/hr while Hempstead hygienists earn $41.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Hempstead as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Hempstead. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $88,945, Hempstead = $73,962), job availability (710 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Buffalo vs Hempstead?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $52,831 in Buffalo and $52,998 in Hempstead. The Hempstead area offers higher starting salaries.

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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