Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$73,649
$35.41/hr
Visalia, CA
$56,250
$27.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAVisalia, CA
Median Salary$73,649$56,250
Hourly Rate$35.41$27.05
Entry Level (P10)$51,105$40,795
25th Percentile$55,081$50,734
75th Percentile$91,376$66,680
Top Earner (P90)$133,841$99,841
Total Employed10,15090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($73,649) and Visalia ($56,250) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Los AngelesVisaliaMedian Salary$73,649$56,250Entry Level (P10)$51,105$40,795Top Earner (P90)$133,841$99,841US Median $68,734

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Visalia.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Visalia is $17,399 (30.93%). Los Angeles's median is +7.15% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $82,736,Visalia spans $59,046. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$51,105
P25$55,081
Median$73,649
P75$91,376
P90 (Top)$133,841
Visalia
P10 (Entry)$40,795
P25$50,734
Median$56,250
P75$66,680
P90 (Top)$99,841

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($64,851 effective) pays 15.09% more than Visalia ($56,349 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $73,649
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $64,851
Visalia
Nominal: $56,250
CoL Index: 99.825
Adjusted: $56,349

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,649/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,841)
  • Larger job market (10,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,851)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Visalia if…

  • 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 Los Angeles grew 28.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.0% growth in Visalia over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+28.4%

$55,680 (2019) → $71,476 (2025)

Visalia, CA

+25.0%

$43,660 (2019) → $54,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Los Angeles has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $73,649/year, compared to Visalia at $56,250/year — a difference of $17,399 (30.93%).

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

Los Angeles medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35.41/hr while Visalia hygienists earn $27.05/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Visalia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $64,851, Visalia = $56,349), job availability (10,150 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $51,105 in Los Angeles and $40,795 in Visalia. The Los Angeles 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