Med Lab Scientist Salary

Houston vs Corpus Christi: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Houston, TX and Corpus Christi, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$67,008
$32.22/hr
Corpus Christi, TX
$63,829
$30.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXCorpus Christi, TX
Median Salary$67,008$63,829
Hourly Rate$32.22$30.69
Entry Level (P10)$43,045$35,836
25th Percentile$51,302$44,584
75th Percentile$85,106$77,329
Top Earner (P90)$107,584$87,356
Total Employed7,410400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($67,008) and Corpus Christi ($63,829) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.HoustonCorpus ChristiMedian Salary$67,008$63,829Entry Level (P10)$43,045$35,836Top Earner (P90)$107,584$87,356US Median $68,734

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Corpus Christi.

The salary gap between Houston and Corpus Christi is $3,179 (4.98%). Houston's median is -2.51% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $64,539,Corpus Christi spans $51,520. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$43,045
P25$51,302
Median$67,008
P75$85,106
P90 (Top)$107,584
Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$35,836
P25$44,584
Median$63,829
P75$77,329
P90 (Top)$87,356

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Corpus Christi ($68,877 effective) pays 1.38% more than Houston ($67,939 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $67,008
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $67,939
Corpus Christi
Nominal: $63,829
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $68,877

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,008/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,584)
  • Larger job market (7,410 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Corpus Christi if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,877)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Houston grew 22.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 53.1% growth in Corpus Christi over the same period.

Houston, TX

+22.4%

$53,120 (2019) → $65,031 (2025)

Corpus Christi, TX

+53.1%

$40,450 (2019) → $61,946 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Houston or Corpus Christi?

Houston has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,008/year, compared to Corpus Christi at $63,829/year — a difference of $3,179 (4.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Corpus Christi?

Houston medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32.22/hr while Corpus Christi hygienists earn $30.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Corpus Christi as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Corpus Christi. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $67,939, Corpus Christi = $68,877), job availability (7,410 vs 400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Houston vs Corpus Christi?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,045 in Houston and $35,836 in Corpus Christi. The Houston 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