Med Lab Scientist Salary

Maplewood vs St. Cloud: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Maplewood, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Maplewood, MN
$69,174
$33.26/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$64,999
$31.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMaplewood, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$69,174$64,999
Hourly Rate$33.26$31.25
Entry Level (P10)$46,416$53,552
25th Percentile$54,426$56,872
75th Percentile$88,542$77,788
Top Earner (P90)$107,219$88,186
Total Employed10110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Maplewood ($69,174) and St. Cloud ($64,999) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.MaplewoodSt. CloudMedian Salary$69,174$64,999Entry Level (P10)$46,416$53,552Top Earner (P90)$107,219$88,186US Median $68,734

Verdict

Maplewood, MN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Cloud.

The salary gap between Maplewood and St. Cloud is $4,175 (6.42%). Maplewood's median is +0.64% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Maplewood spans $60,803,St. Cloud spans $34,634. Maplewood has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Maplewood
P10 (Entry)$46,416
P25$54,426
Median$69,174
P75$88,542
P90 (Top)$107,219
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$53,552
P25$56,872
Median$64,999
P75$77,788
P90 (Top)$88,186

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($74,173 effective) pays 5.62% more than Maplewood ($70,227 effective).

Maplewood
Nominal: $69,174
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $70,227
St. Cloud
Nominal: $64,999
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $74,173

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Maplewood if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,174/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,219)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,173)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Maplewood grew -4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.1% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Maplewood, MN

+-4.4%

$70,259 (2024) → $67,133 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+26.1%

$50,010 (2019) → $63,081 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Maplewood or St. Cloud?

Maplewood has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $69,174/year, compared to St. Cloud at $64,999/year — a difference of $4,175 (6.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Maplewood and St. Cloud?

Maplewood medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.26/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $31.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Maplewood to St. Cloud as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Maplewood and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Maplewood = $70,227, St. Cloud = $74,173), job availability (10 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Maplewood vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $46,416 in Maplewood and $53,552 in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud 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