Med Lab Scientist Salary

Milwaukee vs Onalaska: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Milwaukee, WI and Onalaska, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$69,017
$33.18/hr
Onalaska, WI
$64,453
$30.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIOnalaska, WI
Median Salary$69,017$64,453
Hourly Rate$33.18$30.98
Entry Level (P10)$50,898$41,092
25th Percentile$54,229$51,628
75th Percentile$86,013$79,412
Top Earner (P90)$101,839$94,410
Total Employed1,9604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($69,017) and Onalaska ($64,453) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.MilwaukeeOnalaskaMedian Salary$69,017$64,453Entry Level (P10)$50,898$41,092Top Earner (P90)$101,839$94,410US Median $68,734

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Onalaska.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Onalaska is $4,564 (7.08%). Milwaukee's median is +0.41% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $50,941,Onalaska spans $53,318. Onalaska has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$50,898
P25$54,229
Median$69,017
P75$86,013
P90 (Top)$101,839
Onalaska
P10 (Entry)$41,092
P25$51,628
Median$64,453
P75$79,412
P90 (Top)$94,410

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($71,198 effective) pays 3.17% more than Onalaska ($69,007 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $69,017
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $71,198
Onalaska
Nominal: $64,453
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $69,007

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,017/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,839)
  • Larger job market (1,960 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,198)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Onalaska if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Milwaukee grew 32.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.4% growth in Onalaska over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+32.0%

$50,730 (2019) → $66,981 (2025)

Onalaska, WI

+3.4%

$60,501 (2024) → $62,551 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Milwaukee or Onalaska?

Milwaukee has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $69,017/year, compared to Onalaska at $64,453/year — a difference of $4,564 (7.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Onalaska?

Milwaukee medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.18/hr while Onalaska hygienists earn $30.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Onalaska as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Onalaska. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $71,198, job availability (1,960 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Milwaukee vs Onalaska?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $50,898 in Milwaukee and $41,092 in Onalaska. The Milwaukee 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