Med Lab Scientist Salary

Collierville vs Knoxville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Collierville, TN
$64,870
$31.19/hr
Knoxville, TN
$64,059
$30.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollierville, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$64,870$64,059
Hourly Rate$31.19$30.80
Entry Level (P10)$38,769$40,838
25th Percentile$47,826$48,975
75th Percentile$83,034$72,742
Top Earner (P90)$100,548$89,933
Total Employed81,320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Collierville ($64,870) and Knoxville ($64,059) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ColliervilleKnoxvilleMedian Salary$64,870$64,059Entry Level (P10)$38,769$40,838Top Earner (P90)$100,548$89,933US Median $68,734

Verdict

Collierville, TN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Collierville and Knoxville is $811 (1.27%). Collierville's median is -5.62% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Collierville spans $61,779,Knoxville spans $49,095. Collierville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Collierville
P10 (Entry)$38,769
P25$47,826
Median$64,870
P75$83,034
P90 (Top)$100,548
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$40,838
P25$48,975
Median$64,059
P75$72,742
P90 (Top)$89,933

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Collierville ($70,664 effective) pays 2.11% more than Knoxville ($69,201 effective).

Collierville
Nominal: $64,870
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $70,664
Knoxville
Nominal: $64,059
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $69,201

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Collierville if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,870/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,548)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,664)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (1,320 employed)
  • 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 Collierville grew 10.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.4% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Collierville, TN

+10.4%

$57,043 (2024) → $62,956 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+26.4%

$49,180 (2019) → $62,169 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Collierville or Knoxville?

Collierville has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,870/year, compared to Knoxville at $64,059/year — a difference of $811 (1.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Collierville and Knoxville?

Collierville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.19/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $30.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Collierville to Knoxville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Collierville and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Collierville = $70,664, Knoxville = $69,201), job availability (8 vs 1,320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Collierville vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38,769 in Collierville and $40,838 in Knoxville. The Knoxville 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