Med Lab Scientist Salary

Johnson City vs Nashville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Johnson City, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Johnson City, TN
$55,703
$26.78/hr
Nashville, TN
$71,061
$34.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJohnson City, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$55,703$71,061
Hourly Rate$26.78$34.17
Entry Level (P10)$38,741$43,164
25th Percentile$39,615$53,683
75th Percentile$69,563$92,031
Top Earner (P90)$84,396$106,143
Total Employed3303,050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Johnson City ($55,703) and Nashville ($71,061) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Johnson CityNashvilleMedian Salary$55,703$71,061Entry Level (P10)$38,741$43,164Top Earner (P90)$84,396$106,143US Median $68,734

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Johnson City.

The salary gap between Johnson City and Nashville is $15,358 (27.57%). Nashville's median is +3.39% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Johnson City spans $45,655,Nashville spans $62,979. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Johnson City
P10 (Entry)$38,741
P25$39,615
Median$55,703
P75$69,563
P90 (Top)$84,396
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$43,164
P25$53,683
Median$71,061
P75$92,031
P90 (Top)$106,143

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($73,762 effective) pays 16.43% more than Johnson City ($63,351 effective).

Johnson City
Nominal: $55,703
CoL Index: 87.928
Adjusted: $63,351
Nashville
Nominal: $71,061
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $73,762

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Johnson City if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,061/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,143)
  • Larger job market (3,050 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,762)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Johnson City grew 17.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.6% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Johnson City, TN

+17.5%

$46,020 (2019) → $54,060 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+28.6%

$53,610 (2019) → $68,964 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Johnson City or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $71,061/year, compared to Johnson City at $55,703/year — a difference of $15,358 (27.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Johnson City and Nashville?

Johnson City medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $26.78/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $34.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Johnson City to Nashville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Johnson City and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Johnson City = $63,351, Nashville = $73,762), job availability (330 vs 3,050 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Johnson City vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38,741 in Johnson City and $43,164 in Nashville. The Nashville 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