Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Dallas, TX
$64,747
$31.13/hr
Odessa, TX
$60,105
$28.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXOdessa, TX
Median Salary$64,747$60,105
Hourly Rate$31.13$28.90
Entry Level (P10)$42,324$41,407
25th Percentile$44,475$43,001
75th Percentile$89,660$85,674
Top Earner (P90)$106,110$108,196
Total Employed9,420130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($64,747) and Odessa ($60,105) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.DallasOdessaMedian Salary$64,747$60,105Entry Level (P10)$42,324$41,407Top Earner (P90)$106,110$108,196US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Odessa is $4,642 (7.72%). 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,Odessa spans $66,789. Odessa 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
Odessa
P10 (Entry)$41,407
P25$43,001
Median$60,105
P75$85,674
P90 (Top)$108,196

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Odessa ($64,012 effective) pays 1.92% more than Dallas ($62,806 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $64,747
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $62,806
Odessa
Nominal: $60,105
CoL Index: 93.896
Adjusted: $64,012

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 Odessa if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($108,196)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,012)
  • 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 4.3% growth in Odessa over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+11.7%

$56,280 (2019) → $62,837 (2025)

Odessa, TX

+4.3%

$55,940 (2019) → $58,332 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Dallas has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,747/year, compared to Odessa at $60,105/year — a difference of $4,642 (7.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Odessa?

Dallas medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.13/hr while Odessa hygienists earn $28.90/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Odessa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $62,806, Odessa = $64,012), job availability (9,420 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,324 in Dallas and $41,407 in Odessa. 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