Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Milwaukee, WI
$69,017
$33.18/hr
River Falls, WI
$63,512
$30.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIRiver Falls, WI
Median Salary$69,017$63,512
Hourly Rate$33.18$30.53
Entry Level (P10)$50,898$39,584
25th Percentile$54,229$50,014
75th Percentile$86,013$81,138
Top Earner (P90)$101,839$97,694
Total Employed1,9605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($69,017) and River Falls ($63,512) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.MilwaukeeRiver FallsMedian Salary$69,017$63,512Entry Level (P10)$50,898$39,584Top Earner (P90)$101,839$97,694US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Milwaukee and River Falls is $5,505 (8.67%). 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,River Falls spans $58,110. River Falls 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
River Falls
P10 (Entry)$39,584
P25$50,014
Median$63,512
P75$81,138
P90 (Top)$97,694

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($71,198 effective) pays 4.70% more than River Falls ($68,000 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $69,017
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $71,198
River Falls
Nominal: $63,512
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $68,000

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 River Falls 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 3.0% growth in River Falls over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+32.0%

$50,730 (2019) → $66,981 (2025)

River Falls, WI

+3.0%

$59,847 (2024) → $61,638 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Milwaukee has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $69,017/year, compared to River Falls at $63,512/year — a difference of $5,505 (8.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and River Falls?

Milwaukee medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.18/hr while River Falls hygienists earn $30.53/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and River Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $71,198, River Falls = $68,000), job availability (1,960 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $50,898 in Milwaukee and $39,584 in River Falls. 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