Med Lab Scientist Salary

Grand Island vs Scottsbluff: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Grand Island, NE and Scottsbluff, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grand Island, NE
$62,388
$29.99/hr
Scottsbluff, NE
$63,975
$30.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Island, NEScottsbluff, NE
Median Salary$62,388$63,975
Hourly Rate$29.99$30.76
Entry Level (P10)$47,905$39,899
25th Percentile$53,967$51,841
75th Percentile$80,792$79,384
Top Earner (P90)$93,364$94,616
Total Employed704
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Island ($62,388) and Scottsbluff ($63,975) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Grand IslandScottsbluffMedian Salary$62,388$63,975Entry Level (P10)$47,905$39,899Top Earner (P90)$93,364$94,616US Median $68,734

Verdict

Scottsbluff, NE offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Grand Island.

The salary gap between Grand Island and Scottsbluff is $1,587 (2.54%). Scottsbluff's median is -6.92% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grand Island spans $45,459,Scottsbluff spans $54,717. Scottsbluff has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Grand Island
P10 (Entry)$47,905
P25$53,967
Median$62,388
P75$80,792
P90 (Top)$93,364
Scottsbluff
P10 (Entry)$39,899
P25$51,841
Median$63,975
P75$79,384
P90 (Top)$94,616

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Island ($71,994 effective) pays 2.97% more than Scottsbluff ($69,918 effective).

Grand Island
Nominal: $62,388
CoL Index: 86.657
Adjusted: $71,994
Scottsbluff
Nominal: $63,975
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $69,918

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grand Island if…

  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,994)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Scottsbluff if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,975/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,616)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Grand Island grew 11.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 10.5% growth in Scottsbluff over the same period.

Grand Island, NE

+11.7%

$54,200 (2020) → $60,547 (2025)

Scottsbluff, NE

+10.5%

$56,198 (2024) → $62,088 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Grand Island or Scottsbluff?

Scottsbluff has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $63,975/year, compared to Grand Island at $62,388/year — a difference of $1,587 (2.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Island and Scottsbluff?

Grand Island medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $29.99/hr while Scottsbluff hygienists earn $30.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grand Island to Scottsbluff as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Island and Scottsbluff. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Island = $71,994, Scottsbluff = $69,918), job availability (70 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Grand Island vs Scottsbluff?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $47,905 in Grand Island and $39,899 in Scottsbluff. The Grand Island 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