Med Lab Scientist Salary

Corpus Christi vs Houston: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Corpus Christi, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Corpus Christi, TX
$63,829
$30.69/hr
Houston, TX
$67,008
$32.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCorpus Christi, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$63,829$67,008
Hourly Rate$30.69$32.22
Entry Level (P10)$35,836$43,045
25th Percentile$44,584$51,302
75th Percentile$77,329$85,106
Top Earner (P90)$87,356$107,584
Total Employed4007,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Corpus Christi ($63,829) and Houston ($67,008) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Corpus ChristiHoustonMedian Salary$63,829$67,008Entry Level (P10)$35,836$43,045Top Earner (P90)$87,356$107,584US Median $68,734

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Corpus Christi.

The salary gap between Corpus Christi and Houston is $3,179 (4.98%). Houston's median is -2.51% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Corpus Christi spans $51,520,Houston spans $64,539. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$35,836
P25$44,584
Median$63,829
P75$77,329
P90 (Top)$87,356
Houston
P10 (Entry)$43,045
P25$51,302
Median$67,008
P75$85,106
P90 (Top)$107,584

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Corpus Christi ($68,877 effective) pays 1.38% more than Houston ($67,939 effective).

Corpus Christi
Nominal: $63,829
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $68,877
Houston
Nominal: $67,008
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $67,939

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Corpus Christi if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,877)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,008/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,584)
  • Larger job market (7,410 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Corpus Christi grew 53.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Houston over the same period.

Corpus Christi, TX

+53.1%

$40,450 (2019) → $61,946 (2025)

Houston, TX

+22.4%

$53,120 (2019) → $65,031 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Corpus Christi or Houston?

Houston has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,008/year, compared to Corpus Christi at $63,829/year — a difference of $3,179 (4.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Corpus Christi and Houston?

Corpus Christi medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.69/hr while Houston hygienists earn $32.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Corpus Christi to Houston as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Corpus Christi and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Corpus Christi = $68,877, Houston = $67,939), job availability (400 vs 7,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Corpus Christi vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35,836 in Corpus Christi and $43,045 in Houston. The Houston 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