Med Lab Scientist Salary

Carbondale vs Peoria: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Carbondale, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carbondale, IL
$68,094
$32.74/hr
Peoria, IL
$72,699
$34.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarbondale, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$68,094$72,699
Hourly Rate$32.74$34.95
Entry Level (P10)$47,465$51,094
25th Percentile$54,667$53,562
75th Percentile$86,567$86,471
Top Earner (P90)$103,811$103,161
Total Employed5300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carbondale ($68,094) and Peoria ($72,699) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.CarbondalePeoriaMedian Salary$68,094$72,699Entry Level (P10)$47,465$51,094Top Earner (P90)$103,811$103,161US Median $68,734

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Carbondale.

The salary gap between Carbondale and Peoria is $4,605 (6.76%). Peoria's median is +5.77% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carbondale spans $56,346,Peoria spans $52,067. Carbondale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carbondale
P10 (Entry)$47,465
P25$54,667
Median$68,094
P75$86,567
P90 (Top)$103,811
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$51,094
P25$53,562
Median$72,699
P75$86,471
P90 (Top)$103,161

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($79,687 effective) pays 13.63% more than Carbondale ($70,128 effective).

Carbondale
Nominal: $68,094
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $70,128
Peoria
Nominal: $72,699
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $79,687

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carbondale if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,811)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,699/year)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,687)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Carbondale grew 39.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.2% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Carbondale, IL

+39.2%

$47,470 (2019) → $66,085 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+38.2%

$51,040 (2019) → $70,554 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Carbondale or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $72,699/year, compared to Carbondale at $68,094/year — a difference of $4,605 (6.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carbondale and Peoria?

Carbondale medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32.74/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $34.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carbondale to Peoria as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carbondale and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carbondale = $70,128, Peoria = $79,687), job availability (5 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Carbondale vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $47,465 in Carbondale and $51,094 in Peoria. The Peoria 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