Med Lab Scientist Salary

Chicago vs Quincy: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Chicago, IL and Quincy, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$80,781
$38.84/hr
Quincy, IL
$70,548
$33.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILQuincy, IL
Median Salary$80,781$70,548
Hourly Rate$38.84$33.92
Entry Level (P10)$48,692$42,377
25th Percentile$58,783$54,516
75th Percentile$91,801$90,302
Top Earner (P90)$110,118$109,350
Total Employed7,6206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($80,781) and Quincy ($70,548) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ChicagoQuincyMedian Salary$80,781$70,548Entry Level (P10)$48,692$42,377Top Earner (P90)$110,118$109,350US Median $68,734

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Quincy.

The salary gap between Chicago and Quincy is $10,233 (14.51%). Chicago's median is +17.53% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $61,426,Quincy spans $66,973. Quincy has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$48,692
P25$58,783
Median$80,781
P75$91,801
P90 (Top)$110,118
Quincy
P10 (Entry)$42,377
P25$54,516
Median$70,548
P75$90,302
P90 (Top)$109,350

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($77,978 effective) pays 7.33% more than Quincy ($72,655 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $80,781
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $77,978
Quincy
Nominal: $70,548
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $72,655

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,781/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,118)
  • Larger job market (7,620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,978)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Quincy if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Chicago grew 50.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.9% growth in Quincy over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+50.7%

$52,030 (2019) → $78,398 (2025)

Quincy, IL

+0.9%

$67,844 (2024) → $68,467 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Chicago or Quincy?

Chicago has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $80,781/year, compared to Quincy at $70,548/year — a difference of $10,233 (14.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Quincy?

Chicago medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38.84/hr while Quincy hygienists earn $33.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Quincy as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Quincy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $77,978, Quincy = $72,655), job availability (7,620 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Chicago vs Quincy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $48,692 in Chicago and $42,377 in Quincy. The Chicago 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