Med Lab Scientist Salary

Houston vs San Juan: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$67,008
$32.22/hr
San Juan, TX
$60,773
$29.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXSan Juan, TX
Median Salary$67,008$60,773
Hourly Rate$32.22$29.22
Entry Level (P10)$43,045$40,227
25th Percentile$51,302$47,359
75th Percentile$85,106$77,789
Top Earner (P90)$107,584$94,198
Total Employed7,4109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($67,008) and San Juan ($60,773) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.HoustonSan JuanMedian Salary$67,008$60,773Entry Level (P10)$43,045$40,227Top Earner (P90)$107,584$94,198US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and San Juan is $6,235 (10.26%). 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,San Juan spans $53,971. 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
San Juan
P10 (Entry)$40,227
P25$47,359
Median$60,773
P75$77,789
P90 (Top)$94,198

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($67,939 effective) pays 7.32% more than San Juan ($63,305 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $67,008
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $67,939
San Juan
Nominal: $60,773
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $63,305

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,939)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Juan if…

  • 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 -5.7% growth in San Juan over the same period.

Houston, TX

+22.4%

$53,120 (2019) → $65,031 (2025)

San Juan, TX

+-5.7%

$62,534 (2024) → $58,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Houston or San Juan?

Houston has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,008/year, compared to San Juan at $60,773/year — a difference of $6,235 (10.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and San Juan?

Houston medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32.22/hr while San Juan hygienists earn $29.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to San Juan as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and San Juan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $67,939, San Juan = $63,305), job availability (7,410 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Houston vs San Juan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,045 in Houston and $40,227 in San Juan. The Houston 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