Med Lab Scientist Salary

Fort Wayne vs Munster: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Munster, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$53,148
$25.54/hr
Munster, IN
$49,399
$23.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INMunster, IN
Median Salary$53,148$49,399
Hourly Rate$25.54$23.75
Entry Level (P10)$41,745$33,009
25th Percentile$43,700$38,573
75th Percentile$67,248$62,875
Top Earner (P90)$88,525$75,370
Total Employed6504
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($53,148) and Munster ($49,399) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Fort WayneMunsterMedian Salary$53,148$49,399Entry Level (P10)$41,745$33,009Top Earner (P90)$88,525$75,370US Median $68,734

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Munster.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Munster is $3,749 (7.59%). Fort Wayne's median is -22.68% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $46,780,Munster spans $42,361. Fort Wayne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$41,745
P25$43,700
Median$53,148
P75$67,248
P90 (Top)$88,525
Munster
P10 (Entry)$33,009
P25$38,573
Median$49,399
P75$62,875
P90 (Top)$75,370

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($57,413 effective) pays 6.11% more than Munster ($54,106 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $53,148
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $57,413
Munster
Nominal: $49,399
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $54,106

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,148/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($88,525)
  • Larger job market (650 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,413)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Munster if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Fort Wayne grew 9.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -13.5% growth in Munster over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+9.9%

$46,950 (2019) → $51,580 (2025)

Munster, IN

+-13.5%

$55,444 (2024) → $47,942 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Fort Wayne or Munster?

Fort Wayne has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $53,148/year, compared to Munster at $49,399/year — a difference of $3,749 (7.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Munster?

Fort Wayne medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $25.54/hr while Munster hygienists earn $23.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Munster as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Munster. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $57,413, Munster = $54,106), job availability (650 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Fort Wayne vs Munster?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,745 in Fort Wayne and $33,009 in Munster. The Fort Wayne 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