Med Lab Scientist Salary

Dodge City vs Topeka: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Dodge City, KS and Topeka, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dodge City, KS
$62,656
$30.12/hr
Topeka, KS
$70,154
$33.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDodge City, KSTopeka, KS
Median Salary$62,656$70,154
Hourly Rate$30.12$33.72
Entry Level (P10)$40,207$43,634
25th Percentile$47,892$53,847
75th Percentile$79,303$86,329
Top Earner (P90)$96,157$107,256
Total Employed5290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dodge City ($62,656) and Topeka ($70,154) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Dodge CityTopekaMedian Salary$62,656$70,154Entry Level (P10)$40,207$43,634Top Earner (P90)$96,157$107,256US Median $68,734

Verdict

Topeka, KS offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dodge City.

The salary gap between Dodge City and Topeka is $7,498 (11.97%). Topeka's median is +2.07% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dodge City spans $55,950,Topeka spans $63,622. Topeka has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Dodge City
P10 (Entry)$40,207
P25$47,892
Median$62,656
P75$79,303
P90 (Top)$96,157
Topeka
P10 (Entry)$43,634
P25$53,847
Median$70,154
P75$86,329
P90 (Top)$107,256

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Topeka ($78,984 effective) pays 14.59% more than Dodge City ($68,928 effective).

Dodge City
Nominal: $62,656
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $68,928
Topeka
Nominal: $70,154
CoL Index: 88.82
Adjusted: $78,984

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dodge City if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Topeka if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,154/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,256)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,984)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Dodge City grew 14.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.1% growth in Topeka over the same period.

Dodge City, KS

+14.0%

$53,318 (2024) → $60,807 (2025)

Topeka, KS

+21.1%

$56,200 (2019) → $68,084 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Dodge City or Topeka?

Topeka has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $70,154/year, compared to Dodge City at $62,656/year — a difference of $7,498 (11.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dodge City and Topeka?

Dodge City medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.12/hr while Topeka hygienists earn $33.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dodge City to Topeka as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dodge City and Topeka. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dodge City = $68,928, Topeka = $78,984), job availability (5 vs 290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Dodge City vs Topeka?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,207 in Dodge City and $43,634 in Topeka. The Topeka 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