Med Lab Scientist Salary

Homestead vs Tampa: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Homestead, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Homestead, FL
$62,944
$30.26/hr
Tampa, FL
$68,319
$32.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHomestead, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$62,944$68,319
Hourly Rate$30.26$32.84
Entry Level (P10)$41,147$40,991
25th Percentile$48,908$45,644
75th Percentile$80,568$87,247
Top Earner (P90)$97,563$107,759
Total Employed144,830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Homestead ($62,944) and Tampa ($68,319) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.HomesteadTampaMedian Salary$62,944$68,319Entry Level (P10)$41,147$40,991Top Earner (P90)$97,563$107,759US Median $68,734

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Homestead.

The salary gap between Homestead and Tampa is $5,375 (8.54%). Tampa's median is -0.60% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Homestead spans $56,416,Tampa spans $66,768. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Homestead
P10 (Entry)$41,147
P25$48,908
Median$62,944
P75$80,568
P90 (Top)$97,563
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$40,991
P25$45,644
Median$68,319
P75$87,247
P90 (Top)$107,759

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($67,716 effective) pays 8.44% more than Homestead ($62,444 effective).

Homestead
Nominal: $62,944
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $62,444
Tampa
Nominal: $68,319
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $67,716

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Homestead if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,319/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,759)
  • Larger job market (4,830 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,716)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Homestead grew -3.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.8% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Homestead, FL

+-3.9%

$63,578 (2024) → $61,087 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+36.8%

$48,460 (2019) → $66,303 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Homestead or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $68,319/year, compared to Homestead at $62,944/year — a difference of $5,375 (8.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Homestead and Tampa?

Homestead medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.26/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $32.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Homestead to Tampa as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Homestead and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Homestead = $62,444, Tampa = $67,716), job availability (14 vs 4,830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Homestead vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,147 in Homestead and $40,991 in Tampa. The Homestead 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