Med Lab Scientist Salary

Carmel vs Indianapolis: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Carmel, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carmel, IN
$63,780
$30.66/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$64,343
$30.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarmel, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$63,780$64,343
Hourly Rate$30.66$30.93
Entry Level (P10)$41,325$43,853
25th Percentile$49,234$51,542
75th Percentile$81,638$85,947
Top Earner (P90)$98,859$95,603
Total Employed153,510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carmel ($63,780) and Indianapolis ($64,343) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.CarmelIndianapolisMedian Salary$63,780$64,343Entry Level (P10)$41,325$43,853Top Earner (P90)$98,859$95,603US Median $68,734

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Carmel.

The salary gap between Carmel and Indianapolis is $563 (0.88%). Indianapolis's median is -6.39% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carmel spans $57,534,Indianapolis spans $51,750. Carmel has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carmel
P10 (Entry)$41,325
P25$49,234
Median$63,780
P75$81,638
P90 (Top)$98,859
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$43,853
P25$51,542
Median$64,343
P75$85,947
P90 (Top)$95,603

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Carmel ($69,858 effective) pays 3.90% more than Indianapolis ($67,237 effective).

Carmel
Nominal: $63,780
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $69,858
Indianapolis
Nominal: $64,343
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $67,237

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carmel if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($98,859)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,858)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,343/year)
  • Larger job market (3,510 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Carmel grew 4.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.0% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Carmel, IN

+4.7%

$59,133 (2024) → $61,898 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+37.0%

$45,570 (2019) → $62,445 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Carmel or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,343/year, compared to Carmel at $63,780/year — a difference of $563 (0.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carmel and Indianapolis?

Carmel medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.66/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $30.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carmel to Indianapolis as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carmel and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carmel = $69,858, Indianapolis = $67,237), job availability (15 vs 3,510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Carmel vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,325 in Carmel and $43,853 in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 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