Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Mechanicsville, VA
$62,989
$30.28/hr
Virginia Beach, VA
$64,289
$30.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMechanicsville, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Median Salary$62,989$64,289
Hourly Rate$30.28$30.91
Entry Level (P10)$42,566$41,537
25th Percentile$48,332$49,401
75th Percentile$80,627$82,365
Top Earner (P90)$97,633$90,600
Total Employed91,450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mechanicsville ($62,989) and Virginia Beach ($64,289) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.MechanicsvilleVirginia BeachMedian Salary$62,989$64,289Entry Level (P10)$42,566$41,537Top Earner (P90)$97,633$90,600US Median $68,734

Verdict

Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mechanicsville.

The salary gap between Mechanicsville and Virginia Beach is $1,300 (2.06%). 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 Mechanicsville spans $55,067,Virginia Beach spans $49,063. Mechanicsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Mechanicsville
P10 (Entry)$42,566
P25$48,332
Median$62,989
P75$80,627
P90 (Top)$97,633
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, Virginia Beach ($65,641 effective) pays 7.54% more than Mechanicsville ($61,036 effective).

Mechanicsville
Nominal: $62,989
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $61,036
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 Mechanicsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($97,633)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,289/year)
  • Larger job market (1,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,641)
  • 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 Mechanicsville grew -12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.3% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.

Mechanicsville, VA

+-12.4%

$69,790 (2024) → $61,131 (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: Mechanicsville or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,289/year, compared to Mechanicsville at $62,989/year — a difference of $1,300 (2.06%).

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

Mechanicsville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.28/hr while Virginia Beach hygienists earn $30.91/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mechanicsville and Virginia Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mechanicsville = $61,036, Virginia Beach = $65,641), job availability (9 vs 1,450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,566 in Mechanicsville and $41,537 in Virginia Beach. The Mechanicsville 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