Med Lab Scientist Salary

Cincinnati vs Lakewood: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Lakewood, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$71,398
$34.33/hr
Lakewood, OH
$66,137
$31.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHLakewood, OH
Median Salary$71,398$66,137
Hourly Rate$34.33$31.80
Entry Level (P10)$44,050$39,018
25th Percentile$54,578$48,176
75th Percentile$89,639$84,656
Top Earner (P90)$107,016$102,512
Total Employed2,92011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($71,398) and Lakewood ($66,137) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.CincinnatiLakewoodMedian Salary$71,398$66,137Entry Level (P10)$44,050$39,018Top Earner (P90)$107,016$102,512US Median $68,734

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lakewood.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Lakewood is $5,261 (7.95%). Cincinnati's median is +3.88% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $62,966,Lakewood spans $63,494. Lakewood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$44,050
P25$54,578
Median$71,398
P75$89,639
P90 (Top)$107,016
Lakewood
P10 (Entry)$39,018
P25$48,176
Median$66,137
P75$84,656
P90 (Top)$102,512

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($74,864 effective) pays 2.67% more than Lakewood ($72,918 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $71,398
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $74,864
Lakewood
Nominal: $66,137
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $72,918

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,398/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,016)
  • Larger job market (2,920 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,864)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Lakewood if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Cincinnati grew 25.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.8% growth in Lakewood over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+25.1%

$55,370 (2019) → $69,292 (2025)

Lakewood, OH

+7.8%

$59,560 (2024) → $64,186 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Cincinnati or Lakewood?

Cincinnati has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $71,398/year, compared to Lakewood at $66,137/year — a difference of $5,261 (7.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Lakewood?

Cincinnati medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $34.33/hr while Lakewood hygienists earn $31.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Lakewood as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Lakewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $74,864, Lakewood = $72,918), job availability (2,920 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Cincinnati vs Lakewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $44,050 in Cincinnati and $39,018 in Lakewood. The Cincinnati 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