Med Lab Scientist Salary

Indio vs Los Angeles: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Indio, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Indio, CA
$76,282
$36.67/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$73,649
$35.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndio, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$76,282$73,649
Hourly Rate$36.67$35.41
Entry Level (P10)$49,172$51,105
25th Percentile$58,928$55,081
75th Percentile$97,641$91,376
Top Earner (P90)$118,236$133,841
Total Employed2310,150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indio ($76,282) and Los Angeles ($73,649) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.IndioLos AngelesMedian Salary$76,282$73,649Entry Level (P10)$49,172$51,105Top Earner (P90)$118,236$133,841US Median $68,734

Verdict

Indio and Los Angeles are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Indio and Los Angeles is $2,633 (3.58%). Indio's median is +10.98% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indio spans $69,064,Los Angeles spans $82,736. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Indio
P10 (Entry)$49,172
P25$58,928
Median$76,282
P75$97,641
P90 (Top)$118,236
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$51,105
P25$55,081
Median$73,649
P75$91,376
P90 (Top)$133,841

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indio ($67,447 effective) pays 4.00% more than Los Angeles ($64,851 effective).

Indio
Nominal: $76,282
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $67,447
Los Angeles
Nominal: $73,649
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $64,851

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indio if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,282/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,447)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($133,841)
  • Larger job market (10,150 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Indio grew -33.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.4% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Indio, CA

+-33.3%

$111,042 (2024) → $74,031 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+28.4%

$55,680 (2019) → $71,476 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Indio or Los Angeles?

Indio has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $76,282/year, compared to Los Angeles at $73,649/year — a difference of $2,633 (3.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indio and Los Angeles?

Indio medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $36.67/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $35.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indio to Los Angeles as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indio and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indio = $67,447, Los Angeles = $64,851), job availability (23 vs 10,150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Indio vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $49,172 in Indio and $51,105 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles 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