Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Gainesville, GA
$56,916
$27.36/hr
Smyrna, GA
$63,713
$30.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGainesville, GASmyrna, GA
Median Salary$56,916$63,713
Hourly Rate$27.36$30.63
Entry Level (P10)$40,652$39,904
25th Percentile$49,981$48,148
75th Percentile$95,810$81,552
Top Earner (P90)$97,514$98,755
Total Employed4109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gainesville ($56,916) and Smyrna ($63,713) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.GainesvilleSmyrnaMedian Salary$56,916$63,713Entry Level (P10)$40,652$39,904Top Earner (P90)$97,514$98,755US Median $68,734

Verdict

Smyrna, GA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gainesville.

The salary gap between Gainesville and Smyrna is $6,797 (11.94%). Smyrna's median is -7.30% 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,Smyrna spans $58,851. Smyrna has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Gainesville
P10 (Entry)$40,652
P25$49,981
Median$56,916
P75$95,810
P90 (Top)$97,514
Smyrna
P10 (Entry)$39,904
P25$48,148
Median$63,713
P75$81,552
P90 (Top)$98,755

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Smyrna ($68,435 effective) pays 16.35% more than Gainesville ($58,818 effective).

Gainesville
Nominal: $56,916
CoL Index: 96.766
Adjusted: $58,818
Smyrna
Nominal: $63,713
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $68,435

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gainesville if…

  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Smyrna if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,713/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,755)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,435)
  • 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 4.0% growth in Smyrna over the same period.

Gainesville, GA

+36.7%

$40,420 (2020) → $55,237 (2025)

Smyrna, GA

+4.0%

$59,476 (2024) → $61,833 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Smyrna has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $63,713/year, compared to Gainesville at $56,916/year — a difference of $6,797 (11.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gainesville and Smyrna?

Gainesville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.36/hr while Smyrna hygienists earn $30.63/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gainesville and Smyrna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gainesville = $58,818, Smyrna = $68,435), job availability (410 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,652 in Gainesville and $39,904 in Smyrna. The Gainesville 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