Med Lab Scientist Salary

Gainesville vs Savannah: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Gainesville, GA and Savannah, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gainesville, GA
$56,916
$27.36/hr
Savannah, GA
$67,215
$32.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGainesville, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$56,916$67,215
Hourly Rate$27.36$32.32
Entry Level (P10)$40,652$40,892
25th Percentile$49,981$45,469
75th Percentile$95,810$83,544
Top Earner (P90)$97,514$91,561
Total Employed410380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gainesville ($56,916) and Savannah ($67,215) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.GainesvilleSavannahMedian Salary$56,916$67,215Entry Level (P10)$40,652$40,892Top Earner (P90)$97,514$91,561US Median $68,734

Verdict

Gainesville and Savannah are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Gainesville and Savannah is $10,299 (18.10%). Savannah's median is -2.21% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gainesville spans $56,862,Savannah spans $50,669. Gainesville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gainesville
P10 (Entry)$40,652
P25$49,981
Median$56,916
P75$95,810
P90 (Top)$97,514
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$40,892
P25$45,469
Median$67,215
P75$83,544
P90 (Top)$91,561

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Savannah ($70,600 effective) pays 20.03% more than Gainesville ($58,818 effective).

Gainesville
Nominal: $56,916
CoL Index: 96.766
Adjusted: $58,818
Savannah
Nominal: $67,215
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $70,600

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gainesville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($97,514)
  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,215/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,600)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Gainesville grew 36.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 60.9% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Gainesville, GA

+36.7%

$40,420 (2020) → $55,237 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+60.9%

$40,550 (2019) → $65,232 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Gainesville or Savannah?

Savannah has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,215/year, compared to Gainesville at $56,916/year — a difference of $10,299 (18.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gainesville and Savannah?

Gainesville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.36/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $32.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gainesville to Savannah as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gainesville and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gainesville = $58,818, Savannah = $70,600), job availability (410 vs 380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Gainesville vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,652 in Gainesville and $40,892 in Savannah. The Savannah area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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