Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Franklin, TN
$70,205
$33.76/hr
Nashville, TN
$71,061
$34.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$70,205$71,061
Hourly Rate$33.76$34.17
Entry Level (P10)$45,120$43,164
25th Percentile$53,917$53,683
75th Percentile$89,863$92,031
Top Earner (P90)$108,818$106,143
Total Employed183,050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($70,205) and Nashville ($71,061) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.FranklinNashvilleMedian Salary$70,205$71,061Entry Level (P10)$45,120$43,164Top Earner (P90)$108,818$106,143US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Franklin and Nashville is $856 (1.22%). Nashville's median is +3.39% 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,Nashville spans $62,979. 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
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$43,164
P25$53,683
Median$71,061
P75$92,031
P90 (Top)$106,143

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Franklin ($76,476 effective) pays 3.68% more than Nashville ($73,762 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $70,205
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $76,476
Nashville
Nominal: $71,061
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $73,762

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($108,818)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,476)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,061/year)
  • Larger job market (3,050 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 28.6% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Franklin, TN

+22.4%

$55,668 (2024) → $68,134 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+28.6%

$53,610 (2019) → $68,964 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Nashville has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $71,061/year, compared to Franklin at $70,205/year — a difference of $856 (1.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Nashville?

Franklin medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.76/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $34.17/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $76,476, Nashville = $73,762), job availability (18 vs 3,050 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $45,120 in Franklin and $43,164 in Nashville. 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