Med Lab Scientist Salary

Lynchburg vs Virginia Beach: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Lynchburg, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lynchburg, VA
$59,362
$28.54/hr
Virginia Beach, VA
$64,289
$30.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLynchburg, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Median Salary$59,362$64,289
Hourly Rate$28.54$30.91
Entry Level (P10)$43,164$41,537
25th Percentile$48,047$49,401
75th Percentile$67,172$82,365
Top Earner (P90)$80,967$90,600
Total Employed901,450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lynchburg ($59,362) and Virginia Beach ($64,289) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.LynchburgVirginia BeachMedian Salary$59,362$64,289Entry Level (P10)$43,164$41,537Top Earner (P90)$80,967$90,600US Median $68,734

Verdict

Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lynchburg.

The salary gap between Lynchburg and Virginia Beach is $4,927 (8.30%). Virginia Beach's median is -6.47% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lynchburg spans $37,803,Virginia Beach spans $49,063. Virginia Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Lynchburg
P10 (Entry)$43,164
P25$48,047
Median$59,362
P75$67,172
P90 (Top)$80,967
Virginia Beach
P10 (Entry)$41,537
P25$49,401
Median$64,289
P75$82,365
P90 (Top)$90,600

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lynchburg ($66,428 effective) pays 1.20% more than Virginia Beach ($65,641 effective).

Lynchburg
Nominal: $59,362
CoL Index: 89.363
Adjusted: $66,428
Virginia Beach
Nominal: $64,289
CoL Index: 97.941
Adjusted: $65,641

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lynchburg if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,428)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,289/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,600)
  • Larger job market (1,450 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Lynchburg grew 23.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.3% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.

Lynchburg, VA

+23.5%

$46,650 (2019) → $57,611 (2025)

Virginia Beach, VA

+24.3%

$50,210 (2019) → $62,392 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Lynchburg or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,289/year, compared to Lynchburg at $59,362/year — a difference of $4,927 (8.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lynchburg and Virginia Beach?

Lynchburg medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $28.54/hr while Virginia Beach hygienists earn $30.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lynchburg to Virginia Beach as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lynchburg and Virginia Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lynchburg = $66,428, Virginia Beach = $65,641), job availability (90 vs 1,450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Lynchburg vs Virginia Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,164 in Lynchburg and $41,537 in Virginia Beach. The Lynchburg 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