Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Davenport, IA
$52,175
$25.09/hr
Waukee, IA
$53,491
$25.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAWaukee, IA
Median Salary$52,175$53,491
Hourly Rate$25.09$25.72
Entry Level (P10)$41,297$34,504
25th Percentile$42,597$41,037
75th Percentile$69,608$66,181
Top Earner (P90)$84,614$78,797
Total Employed4004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($52,175) and Waukee ($53,491) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.DavenportWaukeeMedian Salary$52,175$53,491Entry Level (P10)$41,297$34,504Top Earner (P90)$84,614$78,797US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Davenport and Waukee is $1,316 (2.52%). Waukee's median is -22.18% 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,Waukee spans $44,293. Waukee 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
Waukee
P10 (Entry)$34,504
P25$41,037
Median$53,491
P75$66,181
P90 (Top)$78,797

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waukee ($59,171 effective) pays 1.02% more than Davenport ($58,572 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $52,175
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $58,572
Waukee
Nominal: $53,491
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $59,171

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)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Waukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,491/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,171)
  • 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 Waukee over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+4.8%

$48,330 (2019) → $50,636 (2025)

Waukee, IA

+-9.1%

$57,082 (2024) → $51,913 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Waukee has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $53,491/year, compared to Davenport at $52,175/year — a difference of $1,316 (2.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Waukee?

Davenport medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $25.09/hr while Waukee hygienists earn $25.72/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Waukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $58,572, Waukee = $59,171), job availability (400 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,297 in Davenport and $34,504 in Waukee. 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