Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Columbus, GA
$57,408
$27.60/hr
Tucker, GA
$62,538
$30.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, GATucker, GA
Median Salary$57,408$62,538
Hourly Rate$27.60$30.07
Entry Level (P10)$35,977$40,561
25th Percentile$42,663$48,120
75th Percentile$88,077$79,556
Top Earner (P90)$94,259$96,326
Total Employed3408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($57,408) and Tucker ($62,538) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ColumbusTuckerMedian Salary$57,408$62,538Entry Level (P10)$35,977$40,561Top Earner (P90)$94,259$96,326US Median $68,734

Verdict

Tucker, 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 Tucker is $5,130 (8.94%). Tucker's median is -9.01% 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,Tucker spans $55,765. 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
Tucker
P10 (Entry)$40,561
P25$48,120
Median$62,538
P75$79,556
P90 (Top)$96,326

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucker ($67,173 effective) pays 4.48% more than Columbus ($64,290 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $57,408
CoL Index: 89.296
Adjusted: $64,290
Tucker
Nominal: $62,538
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $67,173

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 Tucker if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,538/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,326)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,173)
  • 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 Tucker over the same period.

Columbus, GA

+43.1%

$38,930 (2019) → $55,714 (2025)

Tucker, GA

+4.0%

$58,380 (2024) → $60,693 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Tucker has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $62,538/year, compared to Columbus at $57,408/year — a difference of $5,130 (8.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Tucker?

Columbus medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.60/hr while Tucker hygienists earn $30.07/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Tucker. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $64,290, Tucker = $67,173), job availability (340 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35,977 in Columbus and $40,561 in Tucker. The Tucker 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