Med Lab Scientist Salary

Huntington vs Wheeling: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Huntington, WV and Wheeling, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntington, WV
$66,462
$31.95/hr
Wheeling, WV
$68,385
$32.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntington, WVWheeling, WV
Median Salary$66,462$68,385
Hourly Rate$31.95$32.88
Entry Level (P10)$40,674$39,866
25th Percentile$43,896$51,291
75th Percentile$85,291$79,339
Top Earner (P90)$106,252$89,387
Total Employed390120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntington ($66,462) and Wheeling ($68,385) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.HuntingtonWheelingMedian Salary$66,462$68,385Entry Level (P10)$40,674$39,866Top Earner (P90)$106,252$89,387US Median $68,734

Verdict

Huntington and Wheeling are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Huntington and Wheeling is $1,923 (2.89%). Wheeling's median is -0.51% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntington spans $65,578,Wheeling spans $49,521. Huntington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntington
P10 (Entry)$40,674
P25$43,896
Median$66,462
P75$85,291
P90 (Top)$106,252
Wheeling
P10 (Entry)$39,866
P25$51,291
Median$68,385
P75$79,339
P90 (Top)$89,387

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wheeling ($77,426 effective) pays 3.01% more than Huntington ($75,165 effective).

Huntington
Nominal: $66,462
CoL Index: 88.422
Adjusted: $75,165
Wheeling
Nominal: $68,385
CoL Index: 88.323
Adjusted: $77,426

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,252)
  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Wheeling if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,385/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,426)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Huntington grew 29.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.1% growth in Wheeling over the same period.

Huntington, WV

+29.1%

$49,950 (2019) → $64,501 (2025)

Wheeling, WV

+23.1%

$53,920 (2019) → $66,367 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Huntington or Wheeling?

Wheeling has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $68,385/year, compared to Huntington at $66,462/year — a difference of $1,923 (2.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntington and Wheeling?

Huntington medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.95/hr while Wheeling hygienists earn $32.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntington to Wheeling as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntington and Wheeling. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntington = $75,165, Wheeling = $77,426), job availability (390 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Huntington vs Wheeling?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,674 in Huntington and $39,866 in Wheeling. The Huntington 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