Med Lab Scientist Salary

Eau Claire vs Milwaukee: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Eau Claire, WI and Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eau Claire, WI
$72,284
$34.76/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$69,017
$33.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEau Claire, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$72,284$69,017
Hourly Rate$34.76$33.18
Entry Level (P10)$50,581$50,898
25th Percentile$60,716$54,229
75th Percentile$83,970$86,013
Top Earner (P90)$104,646$101,839
Total Employed2201,960
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eau Claire ($72,284) and Milwaukee ($69,017) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Eau ClaireMilwaukeeMedian Salary$72,284$69,017Entry Level (P10)$50,581$50,898Top Earner (P90)$104,646$101,839US Median $68,734

Verdict

Eau Claire, WI offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Milwaukee.

The salary gap between Eau Claire and Milwaukee is $3,267 (4.73%). Eau Claire's median is +5.16% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eau Claire spans $54,065,Milwaukee spans $50,941. Eau Claire has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Eau Claire
P10 (Entry)$50,581
P25$60,716
Median$72,284
P75$83,970
P90 (Top)$104,646
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$50,898
P25$54,229
Median$69,017
P75$86,013
P90 (Top)$101,839

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Eau Claire ($77,896 effective) pays 9.41% more than Milwaukee ($71,198 effective).

Eau Claire
Nominal: $72,284
CoL Index: 92.796
Adjusted: $77,896
Milwaukee
Nominal: $69,017
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $71,198

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eau Claire if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,284/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,646)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,896)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Larger job market (1,960 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Eau Claire grew 34.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.0% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Eau Claire, WI

+34.0%

$52,360 (2019) → $70,151 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+32.0%

$50,730 (2019) → $66,981 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Eau Claire or Milwaukee?

Eau Claire has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $72,284/year, compared to Milwaukee at $69,017/year — a difference of $3,267 (4.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eau Claire and Milwaukee?

Eau Claire medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $34.76/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $33.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eau Claire to Milwaukee as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eau Claire and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eau Claire = $77,896, Milwaukee = $71,198), job availability (220 vs 1,960 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Eau Claire vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $50,581 in Eau Claire and $50,898 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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