Med Lab Scientist Salary

Chambersburg vs Philadelphia: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Chambersburg, PA and Philadelphia, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chambersburg, PA
$71,082
$34.18/hr
Philadelphia, PA
$65,304
$31.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChambersburg, PAPhiladelphia, PA
Median Salary$71,082$65,304
Hourly Rate$34.18$31.41
Entry Level (P10)$41,134$44,224
25th Percentile$47,359$51,728
75th Percentile$90,600$87,673
Top Earner (P90)$106,513$103,652
Total Employed1206,150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chambersburg ($71,082) and Philadelphia ($65,304) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ChambersburgPhiladelphiaMedian Salary$71,082$65,304Entry Level (P10)$41,134$44,224Top Earner (P90)$106,513$103,652US Median $68,734

Verdict

Chambersburg, PA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Philadelphia.

The salary gap between Chambersburg and Philadelphia is $5,778 (8.85%). Chambersburg's median is +3.42% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chambersburg spans $65,379,Philadelphia spans $59,428. Chambersburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chambersburg
P10 (Entry)$41,134
P25$47,359
Median$71,082
P75$90,600
P90 (Top)$106,513
Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$44,224
P25$51,728
Median$65,304
P75$87,673
P90 (Top)$103,652

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chambersburg ($75,106 effective) pays 17.95% more than Philadelphia ($63,678 effective).

Chambersburg
Nominal: $71,082
CoL Index: 94.642
Adjusted: $75,106
Philadelphia
Nominal: $65,304
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $63,678

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chambersburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,082/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,513)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,106)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Larger job market (6,150 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Chambersburg grew 5.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.1% growth in Philadelphia over the same period.

Chambersburg, PA

+5.8%

$65,194 (2024) → $68,985 (2025)

Philadelphia, PA

+10.1%

$57,580 (2019) → $63,377 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Chambersburg or Philadelphia?

Chambersburg has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $71,082/year, compared to Philadelphia at $65,304/year — a difference of $5,778 (8.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chambersburg and Philadelphia?

Chambersburg medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $34.18/hr while Philadelphia hygienists earn $31.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chambersburg to Philadelphia as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chambersburg and Philadelphia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chambersburg = $75,106, Philadelphia = $63,678), job availability (120 vs 6,150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Chambersburg vs Philadelphia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,134 in Chambersburg and $44,224 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia 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