Med Lab Scientist Salary

Central vs Shreveport: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Central, LA and Shreveport, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Central, LA
$58,233
$28.00/hr
Shreveport, LA
$65,467
$31.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentral, LAShreveport, LA
Median Salary$58,233$65,467
Hourly Rate$28.00$31.48
Entry Level (P10)$38,568$38,370
25th Percentile$45,579$47,654
75th Percentile$74,538$87,608
Top Earner (P90)$90,261$108,064
Total Employed5460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Central ($58,233) and Shreveport ($65,467) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.CentralShreveportMedian Salary$58,233$65,467Entry Level (P10)$38,568$38,370Top Earner (P90)$90,261$108,064US Median $68,734

Verdict

Shreveport, LA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Central.

The salary gap between Central and Shreveport is $7,234 (12.42%). Shreveport's median is -4.75% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Central spans $51,693,Shreveport spans $69,694. Shreveport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Central
P10 (Entry)$38,568
P25$45,579
Median$58,233
P75$74,538
P90 (Top)$90,261
Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$38,370
P25$47,654
Median$65,467
P75$87,608
P90 (Top)$108,064

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($77,233 effective) pays 19.76% more than Central ($64,488 effective).

Central
Nominal: $58,233
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $64,488
Shreveport
Nominal: $65,467
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $77,233

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Central if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,467/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,064)
  • Larger job market (460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,233)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Central grew 8.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.3% growth in Shreveport over the same period.

Central, LA

+8.6%

$52,048 (2024) → $56,515 (2025)

Shreveport, LA

+39.3%

$45,610 (2019) → $63,536 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Central or Shreveport?

Shreveport has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $65,467/year, compared to Central at $58,233/year — a difference of $7,234 (12.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Central and Shreveport?

Central medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $28.00/hr while Shreveport hygienists earn $31.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Central to Shreveport as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Central and Shreveport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Central = $64,488, Shreveport = $77,233), job availability (5 vs 460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Central vs Shreveport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38,568 in Central and $38,370 in Shreveport. The Central 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