Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Dallas, TX
$64,747
$31.13/hr
McAllen, TX
$64,507
$31.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXMcAllen, TX
Median Salary$64,747$64,507
Hourly Rate$31.13$31.02
Entry Level (P10)$42,324$33,455
25th Percentile$44,475$40,063
75th Percentile$89,660$96,443
Top Earner (P90)$106,110$109,211
Total Employed9,420830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($64,747) and McAllen ($64,507) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.DallasMcAllenMedian Salary$64,747$64,507Entry Level (P10)$42,324$33,455Top Earner (P90)$106,110$109,211US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and McAllen is $240 (0.37%). Dallas's median is -5.80% 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,McAllen spans $75,756. McAllen has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$42,324
P25$44,475
Median$64,747
P75$89,660
P90 (Top)$106,110
McAllen
P10 (Entry)$33,455
P25$40,063
Median$64,507
P75$96,443
P90 (Top)$109,211

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, McAllen ($75,100 effective) pays 19.57% more than Dallas ($62,806 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $64,747
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $62,806
McAllen
Nominal: $64,507
CoL Index: 85.895
Adjusted: $75,100

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,747/year)
  • Larger job market (9,420 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose McAllen if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($109,211)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,100)
  • 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 57.1% growth in McAllen over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+11.7%

$56,280 (2019) → $62,837 (2025)

McAllen, TX

+57.1%

$39,860 (2019) → $62,604 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Dallas has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,747/year, compared to McAllen at $64,507/year — a difference of $240 (0.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and McAllen?

Dallas medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.13/hr while McAllen hygienists earn $31.02/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and McAllen. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $62,806, McAllen = $75,100), job availability (9,420 vs 830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,324 in Dallas and $33,455 in McAllen. The Dallas 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