Med Lab Scientist Salary

Kingston vs Rochester: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Kingston, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kingston, NY
$112,696
$54.19/hr
Rochester, NY
$88,786
$42.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKingston, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$112,696$88,786
Hourly Rate$54.19$42.68
Entry Level (P10)$48,943$50,603
25th Percentile$85,128$67,969
75th Percentile$125,836$102,123
Top Earner (P90)$148,466$109,070
Total Employed601,140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kingston ($112,696) and Rochester ($88,786) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.KingstonRochesterMedian Salary$112,696$88,786Entry Level (P10)$48,943$50,603Top Earner (P90)$148,466$109,070US Median $68,734

Verdict

Kingston, NY offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between Kingston and Rochester is $23,910 (26.93%). Kingston's median is +63.96% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kingston spans $99,523,Rochester spans $58,467. Kingston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kingston
P10 (Entry)$48,943
P25$85,128
Median$112,696
P75$125,836
P90 (Top)$148,466
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$50,603
P25$67,969
Median$88,786
P75$102,123
P90 (Top)$109,070

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kingston ($111,903 effective) pays 22.30% more than Rochester ($91,499 effective).

Kingston
Nominal: $112,696
CoL Index: 100.709
Adjusted: $111,903
Rochester
Nominal: $88,786
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $91,499

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kingston if…

  • Higher median salary ($112,696/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($148,466)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,903)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (1,140 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Kingston grew 104.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 53.6% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Kingston, NY

+104.4%

$53,500 (2019) → $109,371 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+53.6%

$56,110 (2019) → $86,167 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Kingston or Rochester?

Kingston has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $112,696/year, compared to Rochester at $88,786/year — a difference of $23,910 (26.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kingston and Rochester?

Kingston medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $54.19/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $42.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kingston to Rochester as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kingston and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kingston = $111,903, Rochester = $91,499), job availability (60 vs 1,140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Kingston vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $48,943 in Kingston and $50,603 in Rochester. The Rochester 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