Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Fort Wayne, IN
$53,148
$25.54/hr
Shelbyville, IN
$51,136
$24.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INShelbyville, IN
Median Salary$53,148$51,136
Hourly Rate$25.54$24.59
Entry Level (P10)$41,745$32,811
25th Percentile$43,700$38,941
75th Percentile$67,248$62,995
Top Earner (P90)$88,525$74,888
Total Employed6505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($53,148) and Shelbyville ($51,136) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Fort WayneShelbyvilleMedian Salary$53,148$51,136Entry Level (P10)$41,745$32,811Top Earner (P90)$88,525$74,888US 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 Shelbyville.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Shelbyville is $2,012 (3.93%). 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,Shelbyville spans $42,077. 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
Shelbyville
P10 (Entry)$32,811
P25$38,941
Median$51,136
P75$62,995
P90 (Top)$74,888

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($57,413 effective) pays 2.51% more than Shelbyville ($56,009 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $53,148
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $57,413
Shelbyville
Nominal: $51,136
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $56,009

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 Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+9.9%

$46,950 (2019) → $51,580 (2025)

Shelbyville, IN

+-13.5%

$57,392 (2024) → $49,627 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fort Wayne has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $53,148/year, compared to Shelbyville at $51,136/year — a difference of $2,012 (3.93%).

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

Fort Wayne medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $25.54/hr while Shelbyville hygienists earn $24.59/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Shelbyville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $57,413, Shelbyville = $56,009), job availability (650 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,745 in Fort Wayne and $32,811 in Shelbyville. The Fort Wayne area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

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