Med Lab Scientist Salary

Louisville vs Nicholasville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Louisville, KY and Nicholasville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Louisville, KY
$71,125
$34.20/hr
Nicholasville, KY
$64,251
$30.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville, KYNicholasville, KY
Median Salary$71,125$64,251
Hourly Rate$34.20$30.89
Entry Level (P10)$41,253$40,103
25th Percentile$51,210$48,341
75th Percentile$91,041$80,611
Top Earner (P90)$110,245$97,199
Total Employed1326
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville ($71,125) and Nicholasville ($64,251) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.LouisvilleNicholasvilleMedian Salary$71,125$64,251Entry Level (P10)$41,253$40,103Top Earner (P90)$110,245$97,199US Median $68,734

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Nicholasville.

The salary gap between Louisville and Nicholasville is $6,874 (10.70%). Louisville's median is +3.48% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville spans $68,992,Nicholasville spans $57,096. Louisville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville
P10 (Entry)$41,253
P25$51,210
Median$71,125
P75$91,041
P90 (Top)$110,245
Nicholasville
P10 (Entry)$40,103
P25$48,341
Median$64,251
P75$80,611
P90 (Top)$97,199

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($79,647 effective) pays 10.70% more than Nicholasville ($71,950 effective).

Louisville
Nominal: $71,125
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $79,647
Nicholasville
Nominal: $64,251
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $71,950

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,125/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,245)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,647)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Nicholasville if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Louisville grew 14.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Nicholasville over the same period.

Louisville, KY

+14.4%

$60,362 (2024) → $69,027 (2025)

Nicholasville, KY

+14.4%

$54,528 (2024) → $62,355 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Louisville or Nicholasville?

Louisville has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $71,125/year, compared to Nicholasville at $64,251/year — a difference of $6,874 (10.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville and Nicholasville?

Louisville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $34.20/hr while Nicholasville hygienists earn $30.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville to Nicholasville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville and Nicholasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville = $79,647, Nicholasville = $71,950), job availability (132 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Louisville vs Nicholasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,253 in Louisville and $40,103 in Nicholasville. The Louisville 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