Med Lab Scientist Salary

Decatur vs Mobile: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Decatur, AL and Mobile, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Decatur, AL
$51,914
$24.96/hr
Mobile, AL
$54,349
$26.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDecatur, ALMobile, AL
Median Salary$51,914$54,349
Hourly Rate$24.96$26.13
Entry Level (P10)$41,516$37,824
25th Percentile$46,922$42,127
75th Percentile$64,726$71,082
Top Earner (P90)$81,502$86,176
Total Employed90730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Decatur ($51,914) and Mobile ($54,349) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.DecaturMobileMedian Salary$51,914$54,349Entry Level (P10)$41,516$37,824Top Earner (P90)$81,502$86,176US Median $68,734

Verdict

Mobile, AL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Decatur.

The salary gap between Decatur and Mobile is $2,435 (4.69%). Mobile's median is -20.93% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Decatur spans $39,986,Mobile spans $48,352. Mobile has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Decatur
P10 (Entry)$41,516
P25$46,922
Median$51,914
P75$64,726
P90 (Top)$81,502
Mobile
P10 (Entry)$37,824
P25$42,127
Median$54,349
P75$71,082
P90 (Top)$86,176

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mobile ($61,692 effective) pays 3.64% more than Decatur ($59,526 effective).

Decatur
Nominal: $51,914
CoL Index: 87.212
Adjusted: $59,526
Mobile
Nominal: $54,349
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $61,692

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Decatur if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,349/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,176)
  • Larger job market (730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,692)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Decatur grew 29.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.7% growth in Mobile over the same period.

Decatur, AL

+29.5%

$38,920 (2019) → $50,382 (2025)

Mobile, AL

+7.7%

$48,990 (2019) → $52,746 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Decatur or Mobile?

Mobile has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $54,349/year, compared to Decatur at $51,914/year — a difference of $2,435 (4.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Decatur and Mobile?

Decatur medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $24.96/hr while Mobile hygienists earn $26.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Decatur to Mobile as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Decatur and Mobile. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Decatur = $59,526, Mobile = $61,692), job availability (90 vs 730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Decatur vs Mobile?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,516 in Decatur and $37,824 in Mobile. The Decatur area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

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