Med Lab Scientist Salary

Franklin vs Knoxville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Franklin, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Franklin, TN
$70,205
$33.76/hr
Knoxville, TN
$64,059
$30.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$70,205$64,059
Hourly Rate$33.76$30.80
Entry Level (P10)$45,120$40,838
25th Percentile$53,917$48,975
75th Percentile$89,863$72,742
Top Earner (P90)$108,818$89,933
Total Employed181,320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($70,205) and Knoxville ($64,059) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.FranklinKnoxvilleMedian Salary$70,205$64,059Entry Level (P10)$45,120$40,838Top Earner (P90)$108,818$89,933US Median $68,734

Verdict

Franklin, TN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Franklin and Knoxville is $6,146 (9.59%). Franklin's median is +2.14% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $63,698,Knoxville spans $49,095. Franklin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$45,120
P25$53,917
Median$70,205
P75$89,863
P90 (Top)$108,818
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$40,838
P25$48,975
Median$64,059
P75$72,742
P90 (Top)$89,933

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Franklin ($76,476 effective) pays 10.51% more than Knoxville ($69,201 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $70,205
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $76,476
Knoxville
Nominal: $64,059
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $69,201

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,205/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,818)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,476)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (1,320 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Franklin grew 22.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.4% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Franklin, TN

+22.4%

$55,668 (2024) → $68,134 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+26.4%

$49,180 (2019) → $62,169 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Franklin or Knoxville?

Franklin has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $70,205/year, compared to Knoxville at $64,059/year — a difference of $6,146 (9.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Knoxville?

Franklin medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.76/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $30.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Knoxville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $76,476, Knoxville = $69,201), job availability (18 vs 1,320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Franklin vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $45,120 in Franklin and $40,838 in Knoxville. The Franklin 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