Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Colorado Springs, CO
$84,429
$40.59/hr
Wheat Ridge, CO
$73,618
$35.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COWheat Ridge, CO
Median Salary$84,429$73,618
Hourly Rate$40.59$35.39
Entry Level (P10)$50,646$49,262
25th Percentile$62,454$57,764
75th Percentile$99,480$94,231
Top Earner (P90)$117,294$114,108
Total Employed5108
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($84,429) and Wheat Ridge ($73,618) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Colorado SpringsWheat RidgeMedian Salary$84,429$73,618Entry Level (P10)$50,646$49,262Top Earner (P90)$117,294$114,108US 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 Wheat Ridge.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Wheat Ridge is $10,811 (14.69%). 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,Wheat Ridge spans $64,846. 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
Wheat Ridge
P10 (Entry)$49,262
P25$57,764
Median$73,618
P75$94,231
P90 (Top)$114,108

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($83,836 effective) pays 19.57% more than Wheat Ridge ($70,112 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $84,429
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $83,836
Wheat Ridge
Nominal: $73,618
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $70,112

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 Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+28.4%

$63,830 (2019) → $81,938 (2025)

Wheat Ridge, CO

+-7.0%

$76,784 (2024) → $71,446 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Colorado Springs has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $84,429/year, compared to Wheat Ridge at $73,618/year — a difference of $10,811 (14.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Wheat Ridge?

Colorado Springs medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40.59/hr while Wheat Ridge hygienists earn $35.39/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Wheat Ridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $83,836, Wheat Ridge = $70,112), job availability (510 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $50,646 in Colorado Springs and $49,262 in Wheat Ridge. The Colorado Springs 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