Med Lab Scientist Salary

Elmhurst vs Peoria: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Elmhurst, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elmhurst, IL
$68,772
$33.07/hr
Peoria, IL
$72,699
$34.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElmhurst, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$68,772$72,699
Hourly Rate$33.07$34.95
Entry Level (P10)$44,124$51,094
25th Percentile$52,561$53,562
75th Percentile$87,038$86,471
Top Earner (P90)$105,533$103,161
Total Employed9300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elmhurst ($68,772) and Peoria ($72,699) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ElmhurstPeoriaMedian Salary$68,772$72,699Entry Level (P10)$44,124$51,094Top Earner (P90)$105,533$103,161US Median $68,734

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Elmhurst.

The salary gap between Elmhurst and Peoria is $3,927 (5.71%). Peoria's median is +5.77% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elmhurst spans $61,409,Peoria spans $52,067. Elmhurst has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Elmhurst
P10 (Entry)$44,124
P25$52,561
Median$68,772
P75$87,038
P90 (Top)$105,533
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$51,094
P25$53,562
Median$72,699
P75$86,471
P90 (Top)$103,161

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($79,687 effective) pays 12.51% more than Elmhurst ($70,826 effective).

Elmhurst
Nominal: $68,772
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $70,826
Peoria
Nominal: $72,699
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $79,687

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elmhurst if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,533)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,699/year)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,687)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Elmhurst grew 0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.2% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Elmhurst, IL

+0.9%

$66,136 (2024) → $66,743 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+38.2%

$51,040 (2019) → $70,554 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Elmhurst or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $72,699/year, compared to Elmhurst at $68,772/year — a difference of $3,927 (5.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elmhurst and Peoria?

Elmhurst medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.07/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $34.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elmhurst to Peoria as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elmhurst and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elmhurst = $70,826, Peoria = $79,687), job availability (9 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Elmhurst vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $44,124 in Elmhurst and $51,094 in Peoria. The Peoria 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