Med Lab Scientist Salary

Duluth vs St. Paul: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Duluth, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$70,252
$33.78/hr
St. Paul, MN
$70,509
$33.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$70,252$70,509
Hourly Rate$33.78$33.90
Entry Level (P10)$54,568$43,098
25th Percentile$63,164$53,010
75th Percentile$82,638$90,252
Top Earner (P90)$91,507$109,289
Total Employed28080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($70,252) and St. Paul ($70,509) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.DuluthSt. PaulMedian Salary$70,252$70,509Entry Level (P10)$54,568$43,098Top Earner (P90)$91,507$109,289US Median $68,734

Verdict

St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and St. Paul is $257 (0.37%). St. Paul's median is +2.58% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $36,939,St. Paul spans $66,191. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$54,568
P25$63,164
Median$70,252
P75$82,638
P90 (Top)$91,507
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$43,098
P25$53,010
Median$70,509
P75$90,252
P90 (Top)$109,289

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($79,141 effective) pays 10.56% more than St. Paul ($71,583 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $70,252
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $79,141
St. Paul
Nominal: $70,509
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $71,583

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,141)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,509/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,289)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Duluth grew 24.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -9.7% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+24.8%

$54,620 (2019) → $68,179 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+-9.7%

$75,766 (2024) → $68,429 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Duluth or St. Paul?

St. Paul has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $70,509/year, compared to Duluth at $70,252/year — a difference of $257 (0.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and St. Paul?

Duluth medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.78/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $33.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to St. Paul as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $79,141, St. Paul = $71,583), job availability (280 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Duluth vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $54,568 in Duluth and $43,098 in St. Paul. The Duluth 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