Med Lab Scientist Salary

Dallas vs Killeen: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$64,747
$31.13/hr
Killeen, TX
$67,030
$32.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXKilleen, TX
Median Salary$64,747$67,030
Hourly Rate$31.13$32.22
Entry Level (P10)$42,324$44,290
25th Percentile$44,475$53,388
75th Percentile$89,660$85,936
Top Earner (P90)$106,110$106,317
Total Employed9,420440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($64,747) and Killeen ($67,030) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.DallasKilleenMedian Salary$64,747$67,030Entry Level (P10)$42,324$44,290Top Earner (P90)$106,110$106,317US Median $68,734

Verdict

Killeen, TX offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Dallas.

The salary gap between Dallas and Killeen is $2,283 (3.53%). Killeen's median is -2.48% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $63,786,Killeen spans $62,027. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$42,324
P25$44,475
Median$64,747
P75$89,660
P90 (Top)$106,110
Killeen
P10 (Entry)$44,290
P25$53,388
Median$67,030
P75$85,936
P90 (Top)$106,317

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Killeen ($73,553 effective) pays 17.11% more than Dallas ($62,806 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $64,747
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $62,806
Killeen
Nominal: $67,030
CoL Index: 91.132
Adjusted: $73,553

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Larger job market (9,420 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Killeen if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,030/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,317)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,553)
  • 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 Dallas grew 11.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.9% growth in Killeen over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+11.7%

$56,280 (2019) → $62,837 (2025)

Killeen, TX

+31.9%

$49,320 (2019) → $65,052 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Dallas or Killeen?

Killeen has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,030/year, compared to Dallas at $64,747/year — a difference of $2,283 (3.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Killeen?

Dallas medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.13/hr while Killeen hygienists earn $32.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Killeen as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Killeen. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $62,806, Killeen = $73,553), job availability (9,420 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Dallas vs Killeen?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,324 in Dallas and $44,290 in Killeen. The Killeen 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