Med Lab Scientist Salary

Cleveland vs Upper Arlington: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$72,480
$34.84/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$62,996
$30.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$72,480$62,996
Hourly Rate$34.84$30.28
Entry Level (P10)$43,350$40,534
25th Percentile$53,027$48,281
75th Percentile$87,585$80,634
Top Earner (P90)$105,869$96,727
Total Employed2,6909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($72,480) and Upper Arlington ($62,996) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ClevelandUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$72,480$62,996Entry Level (P10)$43,350$40,534Top Earner (P90)$105,869$96,727US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Upper Arlington is $9,484 (15.05%). Cleveland's median is +5.45% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $62,519,Upper Arlington spans $56,193. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$43,350
P25$53,027
Median$72,480
P75$87,585
P90 (Top)$105,869
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$40,534
P25$48,281
Median$62,996
P75$80,634
P90 (Top)$96,727

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($77,170 effective) pays 11.11% more than Upper Arlington ($69,455 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $72,480
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $77,170
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $62,996
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $69,455

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,480/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,869)
  • Larger job market (2,690 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,170)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Upper Arlington 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 Cleveland grew 20.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.8% growth in Upper Arlington over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+20.5%

$58,380 (2019) → $70,342 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+7.8%

$56,731 (2024) → $61,137 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Cleveland or Upper Arlington?

Cleveland has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $72,480/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $62,996/year — a difference of $9,484 (15.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Upper Arlington?

Cleveland medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $34.84/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $30.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Upper Arlington as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $77,170, Upper Arlington = $69,455), job availability (2,690 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Cleveland vs Upper Arlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,350 in Cleveland and $40,534 in Upper Arlington. The Cleveland 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