Med Lab Scientist Salary

Concord vs Raleigh: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Concord, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Concord, NC
$69,225
$33.28/hr
Raleigh, NC
$65,260
$31.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConcord, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$69,225$65,260
Hourly Rate$33.28$31.38
Entry Level (P10)$41,273$43,896
25th Percentile$50,864$52,657
75th Percentile$88,608$83,533
Top Earner (P90)$107,300$94,466
Total Employed241,810
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Concord ($69,225) and Raleigh ($65,260) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ConcordRaleighMedian Salary$69,225$65,260Entry Level (P10)$41,273$43,896Top Earner (P90)$107,300$94,466US Median $68,734

Verdict

Concord, NC offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Raleigh.

The salary gap between Concord and Raleigh is $3,965 (6.08%). Concord's median is +0.71% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Concord spans $66,027,Raleigh spans $50,570. Concord has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Concord
P10 (Entry)$41,273
P25$50,864
Median$69,225
P75$88,608
P90 (Top)$107,300
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$43,896
P25$52,657
Median$65,260
P75$83,533
P90 (Top)$94,466

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Concord ($73,958 effective) pays 11.24% more than Raleigh ($66,485 effective).

Concord
Nominal: $69,225
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $73,958
Raleigh
Nominal: $65,260
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $66,485

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Concord if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,225/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,300)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,958)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Larger job market (1,810 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Concord grew 5.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.2% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Concord, NC

+5.9%

$63,415 (2024) → $67,183 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+17.2%

$54,060 (2019) → $63,335 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Concord or Raleigh?

Concord has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $69,225/year, compared to Raleigh at $65,260/year — a difference of $3,965 (6.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Concord and Raleigh?

Concord medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.28/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $31.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Concord to Raleigh as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Concord and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Concord = $73,958, Raleigh = $66,485), job availability (24 vs 1,810 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Concord vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,273 in Concord and $43,896 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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