Med Lab Scientist Salary

Hopkinsville vs Louisville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Hopkinsville, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hopkinsville, KY
$63,573
$30.56/hr
Louisville, KY
$71,125
$34.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHopkinsville, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$63,573$71,125
Hourly Rate$30.56$34.20
Entry Level (P10)$38,624$41,253
25th Percentile$46,988$51,210
75th Percentile$80,373$91,041
Top Earner (P90)$98,537$110,245
Total Employed6132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hopkinsville ($63,573) and Louisville ($71,125) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.HopkinsvilleLouisvilleMedian Salary$63,573$71,125Entry Level (P10)$38,624$41,253Top Earner (P90)$98,537$110,245US Median $68,734

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hopkinsville.

The salary gap between Hopkinsville and Louisville is $7,552 (11.88%). Louisville's median is +3.48% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hopkinsville spans $59,913,Louisville spans $68,992. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Hopkinsville
P10 (Entry)$38,624
P25$46,988
Median$63,573
P75$80,373
P90 (Top)$98,537
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$41,253
P25$51,210
Median$71,125
P75$91,041
P90 (Top)$110,245

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($79,647 effective) pays 11.88% more than Hopkinsville ($71,190 effective).

Hopkinsville
Nominal: $63,573
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $71,190
Louisville
Nominal: $71,125
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $79,647

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hopkinsville if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,125/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,245)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,647)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Hopkinsville grew 14.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Hopkinsville, KY

+14.4%

$53,952 (2024) → $61,697 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+14.4%

$60,362 (2024) → $69,027 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Hopkinsville or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $71,125/year, compared to Hopkinsville at $63,573/year — a difference of $7,552 (11.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hopkinsville and Louisville?

Hopkinsville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.56/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $34.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hopkinsville to Louisville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hopkinsville and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hopkinsville = $71,190, Louisville = $79,647), job availability (6 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Hopkinsville vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38,624 in Hopkinsville and $41,253 in Louisville. The Louisville 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