Med Lab Scientist Salary

Colorado Springs vs Durango: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Colorado Springs, CO and Durango, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Colorado Springs, CO
$84,429
$40.59/hr
Durango, CO
$71,692
$34.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, CODurango, CO
Median Salary$84,429$71,692
Hourly Rate$40.59$34.47
Entry Level (P10)$50,646$50,101
25th Percentile$62,454$57,577
75th Percentile$99,480$88,472
Top Earner (P90)$117,294$109,522
Total Employed5105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($84,429) and Durango ($71,692) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Colorado SpringsDurangoMedian Salary$84,429$71,692Entry Level (P10)$50,646$50,101Top Earner (P90)$117,294$109,522US Median $68,734

Verdict

Colorado Springs, CO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Durango.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Durango is $12,737 (17.77%). Colorado Springs's median is +22.83% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $66,648,Durango spans $59,421. Colorado Springs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$50,646
P25$62,454
Median$84,429
P75$99,480
P90 (Top)$117,294
Durango
P10 (Entry)$50,101
P25$57,577
Median$71,692
P75$88,472
P90 (Top)$109,522

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($83,836 effective) pays 22.79% more than Durango ($68,278 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $84,429
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $83,836
Durango
Nominal: $71,692
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $68,278

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,429/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,294)
  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,836)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Durango if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Colorado Springs grew 28.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.0% growth in Durango over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+28.4%

$63,830 (2019) → $81,938 (2025)

Durango, CO

+-7.0%

$74,775 (2024) → $69,577 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Colorado Springs or Durango?

Colorado Springs has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $84,429/year, compared to Durango at $71,692/year — a difference of $12,737 (17.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Durango?

Colorado Springs medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40.59/hr while Durango hygienists earn $34.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Durango as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Durango. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $83,836, Durango = $68,278), job availability (510 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Colorado Springs vs Durango?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $50,646 in Colorado Springs and $50,101 in Durango. The Colorado Springs 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