Med Lab Scientist Salary

Commerce City vs Denver: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Commerce City, CO and Denver, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Commerce City, CO
$74,221
$35.68/hr
Denver, CO
$76,510
$36.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCommerce City, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$74,221$76,510
Hourly Rate$35.68$36.79
Entry Level (P10)$46,666$53,093
25th Percentile$56,281$57,812
75th Percentile$95,003$96,104
Top Earner (P90)$115,042$111,647
Total Employed162,890
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Commerce City ($74,221) and Denver ($76,510) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Commerce CityDenverMedian Salary$74,221$76,510Entry Level (P10)$46,666$53,093Top Earner (P90)$115,042$111,647US Median $68,734

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Commerce City.

The salary gap between Commerce City and Denver is $2,289 (3.08%). Denver's median is +11.31% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Commerce City spans $68,376,Denver spans $58,554. Commerce City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Commerce City
P10 (Entry)$46,666
P25$56,281
Median$74,221
P75$95,003
P90 (Top)$115,042
Denver
P10 (Entry)$53,093
P25$57,812
Median$76,510
P75$96,104
P90 (Top)$111,647

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($72,328 effective) pays 2.32% more than Commerce City ($70,687 effective).

Commerce City
Nominal: $74,221
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $70,687
Denver
Nominal: $76,510
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $72,328

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Commerce City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,042)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,510/year)
  • Larger job market (2,890 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,328)
  • 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 Commerce City grew -7.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.8% growth in Denver over the same period.

Commerce City, CO

+-7.0%

$77,412 (2024) → $72,031 (2025)

Denver, CO

+35.8%

$54,660 (2019) → $74,253 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Commerce City or Denver?

Denver has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $76,510/year, compared to Commerce City at $74,221/year — a difference of $2,289 (3.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Commerce City and Denver?

Commerce City medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35.68/hr while Denver hygienists earn $36.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Commerce City to Denver as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Commerce City and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Commerce City = $70,687, Denver = $72,328), job availability (16 vs 2,890 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Commerce City vs Denver?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $46,666 in Commerce City and $53,093 in Denver. The Denver area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

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