Med Lab Scientist Salary

Cape Coral vs Tampa: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Cape Coral, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cape Coral, FL
$69,422
$33.37/hr
Tampa, FL
$68,319
$32.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCape Coral, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$69,422$68,319
Hourly Rate$33.37$32.84
Entry Level (P10)$41,374$40,991
25th Percentile$44,793$45,644
75th Percentile$86,898$87,247
Top Earner (P90)$106,995$107,759
Total Employed1,0904,830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cape Coral ($69,422) and Tampa ($68,319) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Cape CoralTampaMedian Salary$69,422$68,319Entry Level (P10)$41,374$40,991Top Earner (P90)$106,995$107,759US Median $68,734

Verdict

Cape Coral and Tampa are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Cape Coral and Tampa is $1,103 (1.61%). Cape Coral's median is +1.00% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cape Coral spans $65,621,Tampa spans $66,768. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Cape Coral
P10 (Entry)$41,374
P25$44,793
Median$69,422
P75$86,898
P90 (Top)$106,995
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$40,991
P25$45,644
Median$68,319
P75$87,247
P90 (Top)$107,759

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cape Coral ($67,829 effective) pays 0.17% more than Tampa ($67,716 effective).

Cape Coral
Nominal: $69,422
CoL Index: 102.349
Adjusted: $67,829
Tampa
Nominal: $68,319
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $67,716

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cape Coral if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,422/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,829)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($107,759)
  • Larger job market (4,830 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Cape Coral grew 15.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 36.8% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Cape Coral, FL

+15.1%

$58,560 (2019) → $67,374 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+36.8%

$48,460 (2019) → $66,303 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Cape Coral or Tampa?

Cape Coral has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $69,422/year, compared to Tampa at $68,319/year — a difference of $1,103 (1.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cape Coral and Tampa?

Cape Coral medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.37/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $32.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cape Coral to Tampa as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cape Coral and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cape Coral = $67,829, Tampa = $67,716), job availability (1,090 vs 4,830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Cape Coral vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,374 in Cape Coral and $40,991 in Tampa. The Cape Coral 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