Med Lab Scientist Salary

Milpitas vs Sacramento: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Milpitas, CA
$75,402
$36.25/hr
Sacramento, CA
$90,818
$43.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilpitas, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$75,402$90,818
Hourly Rate$36.25$43.67
Entry Level (P10)$47,533$53,858
25th Percentile$57,213$68,155
75th Percentile$96,514$101,380
Top Earner (P90)$116,872$139,106
Total Employed162,020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milpitas ($75,402) and Sacramento ($90,818) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.MilpitasSacramentoMedian Salary$75,402$90,818Entry Level (P10)$47,533$53,858Top Earner (P90)$116,872$139,106US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Milpitas and Sacramento is $15,416 (20.45%). Sacramento's median is +32.13% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milpitas spans $69,339,Sacramento spans $85,248. Sacramento has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Milpitas
P10 (Entry)$47,533
P25$57,213
Median$75,402
P75$96,514
P90 (Top)$116,872
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$53,858
P25$68,155
Median$90,818
P75$101,380
P90 (Top)$139,106

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($85,139 effective) pays 27.71% more than Milpitas ($66,668 effective).

Milpitas
Nominal: $75,402
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $66,668
Sacramento
Nominal: $90,818
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $85,139

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milpitas if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,818/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,106)
  • Larger job market (2,020 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,139)
  • 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 Milpitas grew -33.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.0% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Milpitas, CA

+-33.3%

$109,761 (2024) → $73,177 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+35.0%

$65,300 (2019) → $88,139 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Milpitas or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $90,818/year, compared to Milpitas at $75,402/year — a difference of $15,416 (20.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milpitas and Sacramento?

Milpitas medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $36.25/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $43.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milpitas to Sacramento as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milpitas and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milpitas = $66,668, Sacramento = $85,139), job availability (16 vs 2,020 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Milpitas vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $47,533 in Milpitas and $53,858 in Sacramento. The Sacramento 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