Med Lab Scientist Salary

Charlotte vs Jacksonville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Charlotte, NC and Jacksonville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$68,112
$32.75/hr
Jacksonville, NC
$54,240
$26.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCJacksonville, NC
Median Salary$68,112$54,240
Hourly Rate$32.75$26.08
Entry Level (P10)$45,043$35,913
25th Percentile$53,322$41,766
75th Percentile$85,478$69,105
Top Earner (P90)$100,354$87,389
Total Employed2,020150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($68,112) and Jacksonville ($54,240) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.CharlotteJacksonvilleMedian Salary$68,112$54,240Entry Level (P10)$45,043$35,913Top Earner (P90)$100,354$87,389US Median $68,734

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jacksonville.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Jacksonville is $13,872 (25.58%). Charlotte's median is -0.90% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $55,311,Jacksonville spans $51,476. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$45,043
P25$53,322
Median$68,112
P75$85,478
P90 (Top)$100,354
Jacksonville
P10 (Entry)$35,913
P25$41,766
Median$54,240
P75$69,105
P90 (Top)$87,389

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($69,968 effective) pays 18.79% more than Jacksonville ($58,902 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $68,112
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $69,968
Jacksonville
Nominal: $54,240
CoL Index: 92.085
Adjusted: $58,902

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,112/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,354)
  • Larger job market (2,020 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,968)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Jacksonville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Charlotte grew 29.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.4% growth in Jacksonville over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+29.2%

$51,160 (2019) → $66,102 (2025)

Jacksonville, NC

+6.4%

$49,460 (2019) → $52,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Charlotte or Jacksonville?

Charlotte has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $68,112/year, compared to Jacksonville at $54,240/year — a difference of $13,872 (25.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Jacksonville?

Charlotte medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32.75/hr while Jacksonville hygienists earn $26.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Jacksonville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Jacksonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $69,968, Jacksonville = $58,902), job availability (2,020 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Charlotte vs Jacksonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $45,043 in Charlotte and $35,913 in Jacksonville. The Charlotte 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