Chico vs Los Angeles: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)
Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Chico, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $65,009 | $73,649▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $31.26 | $35.41▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,154▲ | $51,105 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,322 | $55,081▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $82,277 | $91,376▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $92,413 | $133,841▲ |
| Total Employed | 170 | 10,150▲ |
Verdict
Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chico.
The salary gap between Chico and Los Angeles is $8,640 (13.29%). Los Angeles's median is +7.15% compared to the US national median of $68,734.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chico spans $40,259,Los Angeles spans $82,736. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($64,851 effective) pays 0.95% more than Chico ($64,240 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Chico if…
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose Los Angeles if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($73,649/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($133,841)
- ✓Larger job market (10,150 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,851)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Chico grew 23.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.4% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.
Chico, CA
$50,940 (2019) → $63,091 (2025)
Los Angeles, CA
$55,680 (2019) → $71,476 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Los Angeles, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Chico or Los Angeles?
What is the hourly rate difference between Chico and Los Angeles?
Should I relocate from Chico to Los Angeles as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?
What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Chico vs Los Angeles?
Related Comparisons
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.
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