Med Lab Scientist Salary

Centennial vs Denver: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Centennial, CO and Denver, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centennial, CO
$77,211
$37.13/hr
Denver, CO
$76,510
$36.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentennial, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$77,211$76,510
Hourly Rate$37.13$36.79
Entry Level (P10)$45,162$53,093
25th Percentile$56,071$57,812
75th Percentile$98,701$96,104
Top Earner (P90)$119,677$111,647
Total Employed162,890
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centennial ($77,211) and Denver ($76,510) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.CentennialDenverMedian Salary$77,211$76,510Entry Level (P10)$45,162$53,093Top Earner (P90)$119,677$111,647US Median $68,734

Verdict

Centennial, CO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Denver.

The salary gap between Centennial and Denver is $701 (0.92%). Centennial's median is +12.33% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centennial spans $74,515,Denver spans $58,554. Centennial has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Centennial
P10 (Entry)$45,162
P25$56,071
Median$77,211
P75$98,701
P90 (Top)$119,677
Denver
P10 (Entry)$53,093
P25$57,812
Median$76,510
P75$96,104
P90 (Top)$111,647

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Centennial ($73,534 effective) pays 1.67% more than Denver ($72,328 effective).

Centennial
Nominal: $77,211
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $73,534
Denver
Nominal: $76,510
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $72,328

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centennial if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,211/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,677)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,534)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Larger job market (2,890 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Centennial grew -7.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.8% growth in Denver over the same period.

Centennial, CO

+-7.9%

$81,336 (2024) → $74,933 (2025)

Denver, CO

+35.8%

$54,660 (2019) → $74,253 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Centennial or Denver?

Centennial has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $77,211/year, compared to Denver at $76,510/year — a difference of $701 (0.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centennial and Denver?

Centennial medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $37.13/hr while Denver hygienists earn $36.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Centennial to Denver as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centennial and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centennial = $73,534, Denver = $72,328), job availability (16 vs 2,890 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Centennial vs Denver?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $45,162 in Centennial and $53,093 in Denver. The Denver 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