Med Lab Scientist Salary

Fairmont vs Morgantown: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Fairmont, WV and Morgantown, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fairmont, WV
$62,691
$30.14/hr
Morgantown, WV
$68,275
$32.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFairmont, WVMorgantown, WV
Median Salary$62,691$68,275
Hourly Rate$30.14$32.82
Entry Level (P10)$43,076$41,210
25th Percentile$49,814$51,619
75th Percentile$79,179$84,134
Top Earner (P90)$94,960$96,695
Total Employed4350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fairmont ($62,691) and Morgantown ($68,275) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.FairmontMorgantownMedian Salary$62,691$68,275Entry Level (P10)$43,076$41,210Top Earner (P90)$94,960$96,695US Median $68,734

Verdict

Morgantown, WV offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fairmont.

The salary gap between Fairmont and Morgantown is $5,584 (8.91%). Morgantown's median is -0.67% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fairmont spans $51,884,Morgantown spans $55,485. Morgantown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Fairmont
P10 (Entry)$43,076
P25$49,814
Median$62,691
P75$79,179
P90 (Top)$94,960
Morgantown
P10 (Entry)$41,210
P25$51,619
Median$68,275
P75$84,134
P90 (Top)$96,695

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Morgantown ($73,160 effective) pays 0.94% more than Fairmont ($72,475 effective).

Fairmont
Nominal: $62,691
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $72,475
Morgantown
Nominal: $68,275
CoL Index: 93.323
Adjusted: $73,160

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fairmont if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Morgantown if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,275/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,695)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,160)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Fairmont grew 35.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in Morgantown over the same period.

Fairmont, WV

+35.0%

$45,076 (2024) → $60,841 (2025)

Morgantown, WV

+34.8%

$49,150 (2019) → $66,261 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Fairmont or Morgantown?

Morgantown has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $68,275/year, compared to Fairmont at $62,691/year — a difference of $5,584 (8.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fairmont and Morgantown?

Fairmont medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.14/hr while Morgantown hygienists earn $32.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fairmont to Morgantown as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fairmont and Morgantown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fairmont = $72,475, Morgantown = $73,160), job availability (4 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Fairmont vs Morgantown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,076 in Fairmont and $41,210 in Morgantown. The Fairmont 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