Med Lab Scientist Salary

Hammond vs Indianapolis: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Hammond, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hammond, IN
$52,223
$25.11/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$64,343
$30.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHammond, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$52,223$64,343
Hourly Rate$25.11$30.93
Entry Level (P10)$33,055$43,853
25th Percentile$39,765$51,542
75th Percentile$66,845$85,947
Top Earner (P90)$80,945$95,603
Total Employed203,510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hammond ($52,223) and Indianapolis ($64,343) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.HammondIndianapolisMedian Salary$52,223$64,343Entry Level (P10)$33,055$43,853Top Earner (P90)$80,945$95,603US Median $68,734

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hammond.

The salary gap between Hammond and Indianapolis is $12,120 (23.21%). Indianapolis's median is -6.39% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hammond spans $47,890,Indianapolis spans $51,750. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Hammond
P10 (Entry)$33,055
P25$39,765
Median$52,223
P75$66,845
P90 (Top)$80,945
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$43,853
P25$51,542
Median$64,343
P75$85,947
P90 (Top)$95,603

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($67,237 effective) pays 17.55% more than Hammond ($57,199 effective).

Hammond
Nominal: $52,223
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $57,199
Indianapolis
Nominal: $64,343
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $67,237

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hammond if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,343/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,603)
  • Larger job market (3,510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,237)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Hammond grew -13.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.0% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Hammond, IN

+-13.5%

$58,613 (2024) → $50,682 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+37.0%

$45,570 (2019) → $62,445 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Hammond or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,343/year, compared to Hammond at $52,223/year — a difference of $12,120 (23.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hammond and Indianapolis?

Hammond medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $25.11/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $30.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hammond to Indianapolis as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hammond and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hammond = $57,199, Indianapolis = $67,237), job availability (20 vs 3,510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Hammond vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33,055 in Hammond and $43,853 in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 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