Med Lab Scientist Salary

Coeur d'Alene vs Lewiston: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Coeur d'Alene, ID and Lewiston, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Coeur d'Alene, ID
$51,826
$24.92/hr
Lewiston, ID
$54,447
$26.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoeur d'Alene, IDLewiston, ID
Median Salary$51,826$54,447
Hourly Rate$24.92$26.18
Entry Level (P10)$44,486$40,652
25th Percentile$47,195$43,755
75th Percentile$85,521$85,128
Top Earner (P90)$105,290$103,794
Total Employed14070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coeur d'Alene ($51,826) and Lewiston ($54,447) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Coeur d'AleneLewistonMedian Salary$51,826$54,447Entry Level (P10)$44,486$40,652Top Earner (P90)$105,290$103,794US Median $68,734

Verdict

Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston is $2,621 (5.06%). Lewiston's median is -20.79% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Coeur d'Alene spans $60,804,Lewiston spans $63,142. Lewiston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Coeur d'Alene
P10 (Entry)$44,486
P25$47,195
Median$51,826
P75$85,521
P90 (Top)$105,290
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$40,652
P25$43,755
Median$54,447
P75$85,128
P90 (Top)$103,794

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lewiston ($59,727 effective) pays 13.28% more than Coeur d'Alene ($52,726 effective).

Coeur d'Alene
Nominal: $51,826
CoL Index: 98.293
Adjusted: $52,726
Lewiston
Nominal: $54,447
CoL Index: 91.16
Adjusted: $59,727

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Coeur d'Alene if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,290)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,447/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,727)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Coeur d'Alene grew 37.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.5% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Coeur d'Alene, ID

+37.3%

$36,640 (2019) → $50,297 (2025)

Lewiston, ID

+-1.5%

$53,640 (2019) → $52,841 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Coeur d'Alene or Lewiston?

Lewiston has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $54,447/year, compared to Coeur d'Alene at $51,826/year — a difference of $2,621 (5.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston?

Coeur d'Alene medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $24.92/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $26.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Coeur d'Alene to Lewiston as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coeur d'Alene = $52,726, Lewiston = $59,727), job availability (140 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Coeur d'Alene vs Lewiston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $44,486 in Coeur d'Alene and $40,652 in Lewiston. The Coeur d'Alene 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