Med Lab Scientist Salary

Galveston vs Houston: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Galveston, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Galveston, TX
$63,639
$30.59/hr
Houston, TX
$67,008
$32.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGalveston, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$63,639$67,008
Hourly Rate$30.59$32.22
Entry Level (P10)$38,317$43,045
25th Percentile$46,986$51,302
75th Percentile$81,457$85,106
Top Earner (P90)$98,640$107,584
Total Employed107,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Galveston ($63,639) and Houston ($67,008) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.GalvestonHoustonMedian Salary$63,639$67,008Entry Level (P10)$38,317$43,045Top Earner (P90)$98,640$107,584US Median $68,734

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Galveston.

The salary gap between Galveston and Houston is $3,369 (5.29%). Houston's median is -2.51% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Galveston spans $60,323,Houston spans $64,539. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Galveston
P10 (Entry)$38,317
P25$46,986
Median$63,639
P75$81,457
P90 (Top)$98,640
Houston
P10 (Entry)$43,045
P25$51,302
Median$67,008
P75$85,106
P90 (Top)$107,584

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($67,939 effective) pays 2.49% more than Galveston ($66,291 effective).

Galveston
Nominal: $63,639
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $66,291
Houston
Nominal: $67,008
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $67,939

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Galveston if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,008/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,584)
  • Larger job market (7,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,939)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Galveston grew -5.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Houston over the same period.

Galveston, TX

+-5.7%

$65,483 (2024) → $61,761 (2025)

Houston, TX

+22.4%

$53,120 (2019) → $65,031 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Galveston or Houston?

Houston has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,008/year, compared to Galveston at $63,639/year — a difference of $3,369 (5.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Galveston and Houston?

Galveston medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.59/hr while Houston hygienists earn $32.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Galveston to Houston as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Galveston and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Galveston = $66,291, Houston = $67,939), job availability (10 vs 7,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Galveston vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38,317 in Galveston and $43,045 in Houston. The Houston 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