Med Lab Scientist Salary

Knoxville vs La Vergne: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Knoxville, TN and La Vergne, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$64,059
$30.80/hr
La Vergne, TN
$61,817
$29.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNLa Vergne, TN
Median Salary$64,059$61,817
Hourly Rate$30.80$29.72
Entry Level (P10)$40,838$40,615
25th Percentile$48,975$47,950
75th Percentile$72,742$78,919
Top Earner (P90)$89,933$95,816
Total Employed1,3208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($64,059) and La Vergne ($61,817) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.KnoxvilleLa VergneMedian Salary$64,059$61,817Entry Level (P10)$40,838$40,615Top Earner (P90)$89,933$95,816US Median $68,734

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to La Vergne.

The salary gap between Knoxville and La Vergne is $2,242 (3.63%). Knoxville's median is -6.80% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $49,095,La Vergne spans $55,201. La Vergne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$40,838
P25$48,975
Median$64,059
P75$72,742
P90 (Top)$89,933
La Vergne
P10 (Entry)$40,615
P25$47,950
Median$61,817
P75$78,919
P90 (Top)$95,816

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($69,201 effective) pays 2.77% more than La Vergne ($67,339 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $64,059
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $69,201
La Vergne
Nominal: $61,817
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $67,339

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,059/year)
  • Larger job market (1,320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,201)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose La Vergne if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($95,816)
  • 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 Knoxville grew 26.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.4% growth in La Vergne over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+26.4%

$49,180 (2019) → $62,169 (2025)

La Vergne, TN

+10.4%

$54,358 (2024) → $59,993 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Knoxville or La Vergne?

Knoxville has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,059/year, compared to La Vergne at $61,817/year — a difference of $2,242 (3.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and La Vergne?

Knoxville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.80/hr while La Vergne hygienists earn $29.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to La Vergne as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and La Vergne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $69,201, La Vergne = $67,339), job availability (1,320 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Knoxville vs La Vergne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,838 in Knoxville and $40,615 in La Vergne. The Knoxville 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