Med Lab Scientist Salary

Davenport vs Mason City: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Davenport, IA and Mason City, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$52,175
$25.09/hr
Mason City, IA
$52,934
$25.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMason City, IA
Median Salary$52,175$52,934
Hourly Rate$25.09$25.45
Entry Level (P10)$41,297$34,032
25th Percentile$42,597$40,507
75th Percentile$69,608$67,043
Top Earner (P90)$84,614$81,311
Total Employed4004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($52,175) and Mason City ($52,934) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.DavenportMason CityMedian Salary$52,175$52,934Entry Level (P10)$41,297$34,032Top Earner (P90)$84,614$81,311US Median $68,734

Verdict

Davenport and Mason City are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Davenport and Mason City is $759 (1.45%). Mason City's median is -22.99% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $43,317,Mason City spans $47,279. Mason City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$41,297
P25$42,597
Median$52,175
P75$69,608
P90 (Top)$84,614
Mason City
P10 (Entry)$34,032
P25$40,507
Median$52,934
P75$67,043
P90 (Top)$81,311

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($58,572 effective) pays 0.03% more than Mason City ($58,555 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $52,175
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $58,572
Mason City
Nominal: $52,934
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $58,555

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,614)
  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,572)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Mason City if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,934/year)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Davenport grew 4.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -9.1% growth in Mason City over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+4.8%

$48,330 (2019) → $50,636 (2025)

Mason City, IA

+-9.1%

$56,487 (2024) → $51,372 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Davenport or Mason City?

Mason City has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $52,934/year, compared to Davenport at $52,175/year — a difference of $759 (1.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Mason City?

Davenport medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $25.09/hr while Mason City hygienists earn $25.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Mason City as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Mason City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $58,572, Mason City = $58,555), job availability (400 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Davenport vs Mason City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,297 in Davenport and $34,032 in Mason City. The Davenport 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