Med Lab Scientist Salary

Columbia vs Mauldin: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Columbia, SC and Mauldin, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbia, SC
$60,378
$29.03/hr
Mauldin, SC
$60,925
$29.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbia, SCMauldin, SC
Median Salary$60,378$60,925
Hourly Rate$29.03$29.29
Entry Level (P10)$42,007$38,044
25th Percentile$50,078$48,150
75th Percentile$74,751$76,451
Top Earner (P90)$88,110$92,112
Total Employed8106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbia ($60,378) and Mauldin ($60,925) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ColumbiaMauldinMedian Salary$60,378$60,925Entry Level (P10)$42,007$38,044Top Earner (P90)$88,110$92,112US Median $68,734

Verdict

Mauldin, SC offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Columbia.

The salary gap between Columbia and Mauldin is $547 (0.91%). Mauldin's median is -11.36% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbia spans $46,103,Mauldin spans $54,068. Mauldin has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Columbia
P10 (Entry)$42,007
P25$50,078
Median$60,378
P75$74,751
P90 (Top)$88,110
Mauldin
P10 (Entry)$38,044
P25$48,150
Median$60,925
P75$76,451
P90 (Top)$92,112

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mauldin ($66,585 effective) pays 3.29% more than Columbia ($64,464 effective).

Columbia
Nominal: $60,378
CoL Index: 93.662
Adjusted: $64,464
Mauldin
Nominal: $60,925
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $66,585

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbia if…

  • Larger job market (810 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Mauldin if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,925/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,112)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,585)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Columbia grew 20.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.9% growth in Mauldin over the same period.

Columbia, SC

+20.3%

$48,710 (2019) → $58,597 (2025)

Mauldin, SC

+5.9%

$55,845 (2024) → $59,128 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Columbia or Mauldin?

Mauldin has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $60,925/year, compared to Columbia at $60,378/year — a difference of $547 (0.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbia and Mauldin?

Columbia medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $29.03/hr while Mauldin hygienists earn $29.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbia to Mauldin as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbia and Mauldin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbia = $64,464, Mauldin = $66,585), job availability (810 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Columbia vs Mauldin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,007 in Columbia and $38,044 in Mauldin. The Columbia 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