Med Lab Scientist Salary

Indianapolis vs Shelbyville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Indianapolis, IN and Shelbyville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Indianapolis, IN
$64,343
$30.93/hr
Shelbyville, IN
$51,136
$24.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INShelbyville, IN
Median Salary$64,343$51,136
Hourly Rate$30.93$24.59
Entry Level (P10)$43,853$32,811
25th Percentile$51,542$38,941
75th Percentile$85,947$62,995
Top Earner (P90)$95,603$74,888
Total Employed3,5105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($64,343) and Shelbyville ($51,136) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.IndianapolisShelbyvilleMedian Salary$64,343$51,136Entry Level (P10)$43,853$32,811Top Earner (P90)$95,603$74,888US Median $68,734

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shelbyville.

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Shelbyville is $13,207 (25.83%). Indianapolis's median is -6.39% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indianapolis spans $51,750,Shelbyville spans $42,077. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$43,853
P25$51,542
Median$64,343
P75$85,947
P90 (Top)$95,603
Shelbyville
P10 (Entry)$32,811
P25$38,941
Median$51,136
P75$62,995
P90 (Top)$74,888

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($67,237 effective) pays 20.05% more than Shelbyville ($56,009 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $64,343
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $67,237
Shelbyville
Nominal: $51,136
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $56,009

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,343/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,603)
  • Larger job market (3,510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,237)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Shelbyville if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Indianapolis grew 37.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -13.5% growth in Shelbyville over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+37.0%

$45,570 (2019) → $62,445 (2025)

Shelbyville, IN

+-13.5%

$57,392 (2024) → $49,627 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Indianapolis or Shelbyville?

Indianapolis has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,343/year, compared to Shelbyville at $51,136/year — a difference of $13,207 (25.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Shelbyville?

Indianapolis medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.93/hr while Shelbyville hygienists earn $24.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to Shelbyville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Shelbyville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $67,237, Shelbyville = $56,009), job availability (3,510 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Indianapolis vs Shelbyville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,853 in Indianapolis and $32,811 in Shelbyville. The Indianapolis 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