Med Lab Scientist Salary

Burke vs Roanoke: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Burke, VA and Roanoke, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burke, VA
$64,386
$30.95/hr
Roanoke, VA
$53,388
$25.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurke, VARoanoke, VA
Median Salary$64,386$53,388
Hourly Rate$30.95$25.67
Entry Level (P10)$40,544$40,500
25th Percentile$48,643$41,854
75th Percentile$82,327$74,632
Top Earner (P90)$99,797$87,596
Total Employed10410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burke ($64,386) and Roanoke ($53,388) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BurkeRoanokeMedian Salary$64,386$53,388Entry Level (P10)$40,544$40,500Top Earner (P90)$99,797$87,596US Median $68,734

Verdict

Burke, VA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roanoke.

The salary gap between Burke and Roanoke is $10,998 (20.60%). Burke's median is -6.33% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burke spans $59,253,Roanoke spans $47,096. Burke has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burke
P10 (Entry)$40,544
P25$48,643
Median$64,386
P75$82,327
P90 (Top)$99,797
Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$40,500
P25$41,854
Median$53,388
P75$74,632
P90 (Top)$87,596

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burke ($62,390 effective) pays 9.40% more than Roanoke ($57,027 effective).

Burke
Nominal: $64,386
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $62,390
Roanoke
Nominal: $53,388
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $57,027

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burke if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,386/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,797)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,390)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Burke grew -12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in Roanoke over the same period.

Burke, VA

+-12.4%

$71,337 (2024) → $62,486 (2025)

Roanoke, VA

+34.8%

$38,440 (2019) → $51,813 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Burke or Roanoke?

Burke has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,386/year, compared to Roanoke at $53,388/year — a difference of $10,998 (20.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burke and Roanoke?

Burke medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.95/hr while Roanoke hygienists earn $25.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burke to Roanoke as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burke and Roanoke. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burke = $62,390, Roanoke = $57,027), job availability (10 vs 410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Burke vs Roanoke?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,544 in Burke and $40,500 in Roanoke. The Burke 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