Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Milwaukee, WI
$69,017
$33.18/hr
Waukesha, WI
$69,887
$33.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIWaukesha, WI
Median Salary$69,017$69,887
Hourly Rate$33.18$33.60
Entry Level (P10)$50,898$42,081
25th Percentile$54,229$51,546
75th Percentile$86,013$88,746
Top Earner (P90)$101,839$108,325
Total Employed1,96014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($69,017) and Waukesha ($69,887) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.MilwaukeeWaukeshaMedian Salary$69,017$69,887Entry Level (P10)$50,898$42,081Top Earner (P90)$101,839$108,325US Median $68,734

Verdict

Waukesha, WI offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Milwaukee.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Waukesha is $870 (1.26%). Waukesha's median is +1.68% 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,Waukesha spans $66,244. Waukesha 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
Waukesha
P10 (Entry)$42,081
P25$51,546
Median$69,887
P75$88,746
P90 (Top)$108,325

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waukesha ($74,825 effective) pays 5.10% more than Milwaukee ($71,198 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $69,017
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $71,198
Waukesha
Nominal: $69,887
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $74,825

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Larger job market (1,960 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Waukesha if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,887/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,325)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,825)
  • 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 6.5% growth in Waukesha over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+32.0%

$50,730 (2019) → $66,981 (2025)

Waukesha, WI

+6.5%

$63,669 (2024) → $67,825 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Waukesha has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $69,887/year, compared to Milwaukee at $69,017/year — a difference of $870 (1.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Waukesha?

Milwaukee medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.18/hr while Waukesha hygienists earn $33.60/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Waukesha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $71,198, Waukesha = $74,825), job availability (1,960 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $50,898 in Milwaukee and $42,081 in Waukesha. 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