Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Frankfort, KY
$63,906
$30.73/hr
Lexington, KY
$65,217
$31.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFrankfort, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$63,906$65,217
Hourly Rate$30.73$31.36
Entry Level (P10)$39,383$42,488
25th Percentile$47,646$44,705
75th Percentile$81,098$81,938
Top Earner (P90)$99,055$95,603
Total Employed6980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Frankfort ($63,906) and Lexington ($65,217) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.FrankfortLexingtonMedian Salary$63,906$65,217Entry Level (P10)$39,383$42,488Top Earner (P90)$99,055$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 Frankfort.

The salary gap between Frankfort and Lexington is $1,311 (2.05%). 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 Frankfort spans $59,672,Lexington spans $53,115. Frankfort has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Frankfort
P10 (Entry)$39,383
P25$47,646
Median$63,906
P75$81,098
P90 (Top)$99,055
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, Frankfort ($71,563 effective) pays 1.93% more than Lexington ($70,210 effective).

Frankfort
Nominal: $63,906
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $71,563
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 Frankfort if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($99,055)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,563)
  • 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 Frankfort grew 14.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.6% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Frankfort, KY

+14.4%

$54,236 (2024) → $62,021 (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: Frankfort or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $65,217/year, compared to Frankfort at $63,906/year — a difference of $1,311 (2.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Frankfort and Lexington?

Frankfort medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.73/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $31.36/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Frankfort and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Frankfort = $71,563, Lexington = $70,210), job availability (6 vs 980 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39,383 in Frankfort and $42,488 in Lexington. The Lexington area offers higher starting salaries.
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