Med Lab Scientist Salary

Florence vs Lexington: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Florence, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Florence, KY
$64,646
$31.08/hr
Lexington, KY
$65,217
$31.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlorence, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$64,646$65,217
Hourly Rate$31.08$31.36
Entry Level (P10)$41,084$42,488
25th Percentile$49,118$44,705
75th Percentile$81,536$81,938
Top Earner (P90)$98,740$95,603
Total Employed7980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Florence ($64,646) and Lexington ($65,217) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.FlorenceLexingtonMedian Salary$64,646$65,217Entry Level (P10)$41,084$42,488Top Earner (P90)$98,740$95,603US Median $68,734

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.

The salary gap between Florence and Lexington is $571 (0.88%). Lexington's median is -5.12% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Florence spans $57,656,Lexington spans $53,115. Florence has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Florence
P10 (Entry)$41,084
P25$49,118
Median$64,646
P75$81,536
P90 (Top)$98,740
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$42,488
P25$44,705
Median$65,217
P75$81,938
P90 (Top)$95,603

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Florence ($72,392 effective) pays 3.11% more than Lexington ($70,210 effective).

Florence
Nominal: $64,646
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $72,392
Lexington
Nominal: $65,217
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $70,210

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Florence if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($98,740)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,392)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,217/year)
  • Larger job market (980 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Florence grew 14.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.6% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Florence, KY

+14.4%

$54,863 (2024) → $62,739 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+30.6%

$48,450 (2019) → $63,293 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Florence or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $65,217/year, compared to Florence at $64,646/year — a difference of $571 (0.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Florence and Lexington?

Florence medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.08/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $31.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Florence to Lexington as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Florence and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Florence = $72,392, Lexington = $70,210), job availability (7 vs 980 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Florence vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,084 in Florence and $42,488 in Lexington. The Lexington 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