Med Lab Scientist Salary

Fort Collins vs Pueblo: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Fort Collins, CO and Pueblo, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Collins, CO
$69,563
$33.45/hr
Pueblo, CO
$69,389
$33.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Collins, COPueblo, CO
Median Salary$69,563$69,389
Hourly Rate$33.45$33.36
Entry Level (P10)$45,349$43,503
25th Percentile$59,199$51,892
75th Percentile$90,873$86,657
Top Earner (P90)$110,948$101,664
Total EmployedN/A140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Collins ($69,563) and Pueblo ($69,389) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Fort CollinsPuebloMedian Salary$69,563$69,389Entry Level (P10)$45,349$43,503Top Earner (P90)$110,948$101,664US Median $68,734

Verdict

Fort Collins, CO offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Pueblo.

The salary gap between Fort Collins and Pueblo is $174 (0.25%). Fort Collins's median is +1.21% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Collins spans $65,599,Pueblo spans $58,161. Fort Collins has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$45,349
P25$59,199
Median$69,563
P75$90,873
P90 (Top)$110,948
Pueblo
P10 (Entry)$43,503
P25$51,892
Median$69,389
P75$86,657
P90 (Top)$101,664

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pueblo ($75,618 effective) pays 9.93% more than Fort Collins ($68,787 effective).

Fort Collins
Nominal: $69,563
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $68,787
Pueblo
Nominal: $69,389
CoL Index: 91.762
Adjusted: $75,618

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,563/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,948)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Pueblo if…

  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,618)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Fort Collins grew 16.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in Pueblo over the same period.

Fort Collins, CO

+16.4%

$58,020 (2019) → $67,511 (2025)

Pueblo, CO

+8.3%

$62,160 (2019) → $67,342 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Fort Collins or Pueblo?

Fort Collins has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $69,563/year, compared to Pueblo at $69,389/year — a difference of $174 (0.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Collins and Pueblo?

Fort Collins medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.45/hr while Pueblo hygienists earn $33.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Collins to Pueblo as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Collins and Pueblo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Collins = $68,787, Pueblo = $75,618), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Fort Collins vs Pueblo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $45,349 in Fort Collins and $43,503 in Pueblo. The Fort Collins 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