Med Lab Scientist Salary

Columbus vs Douglasville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Columbus, GA and Douglasville, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, GA
$57,408
$27.60/hr
Douglasville, GA
$63,785
$30.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, GADouglasville, GA
Median Salary$57,408$63,785
Hourly Rate$27.60$30.66
Entry Level (P10)$35,977$43,154
25th Percentile$42,663$49,178
75th Percentile$88,077$81,645
Top Earner (P90)$94,259$98,867
Total Employed3406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($57,408) and Douglasville ($63,785) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ColumbusDouglasvilleMedian Salary$57,408$63,785Entry Level (P10)$35,977$43,154Top Earner (P90)$94,259$98,867US Median $68,734

Verdict

Douglasville, GA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Columbus.

The salary gap between Columbus and Douglasville is $6,377 (11.11%). Douglasville's median is -7.20% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $58,282,Douglasville spans $55,713. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$35,977
P25$42,663
Median$57,408
P75$88,077
P90 (Top)$94,259
Douglasville
P10 (Entry)$43,154
P25$49,178
Median$63,785
P75$81,645
P90 (Top)$98,867

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Douglasville ($68,512 effective) pays 6.57% more than Columbus ($64,290 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $57,408
CoL Index: 89.296
Adjusted: $64,290
Douglasville
Nominal: $63,785
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $68,512

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Douglasville if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,785/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,867)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,512)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Columbus grew 43.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.0% growth in Douglasville over the same period.

Columbus, GA

+43.1%

$38,930 (2019) → $55,714 (2025)

Douglasville, GA

+4.0%

$59,543 (2024) → $61,903 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Columbus or Douglasville?

Douglasville has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $63,785/year, compared to Columbus at $57,408/year — a difference of $6,377 (11.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Douglasville?

Columbus medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.60/hr while Douglasville hygienists earn $30.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Douglasville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Douglasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $64,290, Douglasville = $68,512), job availability (340 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Columbus vs Douglasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35,977 in Columbus and $43,154 in Douglasville. The Douglasville 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