Med Lab Scientist Salary

High Point vs Raleigh: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between High Point, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

High Point, NC
$61,448
$29.54/hr
Raleigh, NC
$65,260
$31.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHigh Point, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$61,448$65,260
Hourly Rate$29.54$31.38
Entry Level (P10)$38,394$43,896
25th Percentile$46,481$52,657
75th Percentile$78,654$83,533
Top Earner (P90)$95,244$94,466
Total Employed231,810
Side-by-side bar chart comparing High Point ($61,448) and Raleigh ($65,260) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.High PointRaleighMedian Salary$61,448$65,260Entry Level (P10)$38,394$43,896Top Earner (P90)$95,244$94,466US Median $68,734

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to High Point.

The salary gap between High Point and Raleigh is $3,812 (6.20%). Raleigh's median is -5.05% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in High Point spans $56,850,Raleigh spans $50,570. High Point has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

High Point
P10 (Entry)$38,394
P25$46,481
Median$61,448
P75$78,654
P90 (Top)$95,244
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$43,896
P25$52,657
Median$65,260
P75$83,533
P90 (Top)$94,466

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($66,485 effective) pays 1.27% more than High Point ($65,650 effective).

High Point
Nominal: $61,448
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $65,650
Raleigh
Nominal: $65,260
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $66,485

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose High Point if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($95,244)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,260/year)
  • Larger job market (1,810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,485)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in High Point grew -2.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.2% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

High Point, NC

+-2.9%

$61,433 (2024) → $59,635 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+17.2%

$54,060 (2019) → $63,335 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: High Point or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $65,260/year, compared to High Point at $61,448/year — a difference of $3,812 (6.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between High Point and Raleigh?

High Point medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $29.54/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $31.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from High Point to Raleigh as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing High Point and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: High Point = $65,650, Raleigh = $66,485), job availability (23 vs 1,810 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in High Point vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38,394 in High Point and $43,896 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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