Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Charlotte, NC
$68,112
$32.75/hr
Leland, NC
$59,769
$28.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCLeland, NC
Median Salary$68,112$59,769
Hourly Rate$32.75$28.74
Entry Level (P10)$45,043$40,857
25th Percentile$53,322$47,339
75th Percentile$85,478$76,505
Top Earner (P90)$100,354$90,301
Total Employed2,0206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($68,112) and Leland ($59,769) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.CharlotteLelandMedian Salary$68,112$59,769Entry Level (P10)$45,043$40,857Top Earner (P90)$100,354$90,301US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charlotte and Leland is $8,343 (13.96%). 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,Leland spans $49,444. 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
Leland
P10 (Entry)$40,857
P25$47,339
Median$59,769
P75$76,505
P90 (Top)$90,301

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($69,968 effective) pays 9.57% more than Leland ($63,856 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $68,112
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $69,968
Leland
Nominal: $59,769
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $63,856

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 Leland 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 1.1% growth in Leland over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+29.2%

$51,160 (2019) → $66,102 (2025)

Leland, NC

+1.1%

$57,366 (2024) → $58,006 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Charlotte has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $68,112/year, compared to Leland at $59,769/year — a difference of $8,343 (13.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Leland?

Charlotte medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32.75/hr while Leland hygienists earn $28.74/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Leland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $69,968, Leland = $63,856), job availability (2,020 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $45,043 in Charlotte and $40,857 in Leland. 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