Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Cleveland, TN
$63,611
$30.58/hr
Memphis, TN
$69,902
$33.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$63,611$69,902
Hourly Rate$30.58$33.61
Entry Level (P10)$41,101$42,891
25th Percentile$49,958$53,792
75th Percentile$63,611$92,118
Top Earner (P90)$63,611$107,705
Total Employed801,830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($63,611) and Memphis ($69,902) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ClevelandMemphisMedian Salary$63,611$69,902Entry Level (P10)$41,101$42,891Top Earner (P90)$63,611$107,705US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Memphis is $6,291 (9.89%). Memphis's median is +1.70% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $22,510,Memphis spans $64,814. Memphis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$41,101
P25$49,958
Median$63,611
P75$63,611
P90 (Top)$63,611
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$42,891
P25$53,792
Median$69,902
P75$92,118
P90 (Top)$107,705

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($75,833 effective) pays 5.00% more than Cleveland ($72,220 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $63,611
CoL Index: 88.08
Adjusted: $72,220
Memphis
Nominal: $69,902
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $75,833

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,902/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,705)
  • Larger job market (1,830 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,833)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Cleveland grew 61.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.3% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Cleveland, TN

+61.1%

$38,330 (2019) → $61,734 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+17.3%

$57,840 (2019) → $67,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Memphis has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $69,902/year, compared to Cleveland at $63,611/year — a difference of $6,291 (9.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Memphis?

Cleveland medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.58/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $33.61/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $72,220, Memphis = $75,833), job availability (80 vs 1,830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,101 in Cleveland and $42,891 in Memphis. The Memphis 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