Med Lab Scientist Salary

New Castle vs Pittsburgh: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between New Castle, PA and Pittsburgh, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Castle, PA
$54,479
$26.19/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$52,001
$25.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Castle, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$54,479$52,001
Hourly Rate$26.19$25.00
Entry Level (P10)$35,379$40,554
25th Percentile$43,936$44,967
75th Percentile$67,404$72,317
Top Earner (P90)$80,253$87,335
Total Employed42,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Castle ($54,479) and Pittsburgh ($52,001) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.New CastlePittsburghMedian Salary$54,479$52,001Entry Level (P10)$35,379$40,554Top Earner (P90)$80,253$87,335US Median $68,734

Verdict

New Castle and Pittsburgh are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between New Castle and Pittsburgh is $2,478 (4.77%). New Castle's median is -20.74% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Castle spans $44,874,Pittsburgh spans $46,781. Pittsburgh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

New Castle
P10 (Entry)$35,379
P25$43,936
Median$54,479
P75$67,404
P90 (Top)$80,253
Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$40,554
P25$44,967
Median$52,001
P75$72,317
P90 (Top)$87,335

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Castle ($55,933 effective) pays 1.83% more than Pittsburgh ($54,928 effective).

New Castle
Nominal: $54,479
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $55,933
Pittsburgh
Nominal: $52,001
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $54,928

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Castle if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,479/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,933)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,335)
  • Larger job market (2,610 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in New Castle grew -18.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.1% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

New Castle, PA

+-18.9%

$65,230 (2024) → $52,872 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+0.1%

$50,410 (2019) → $50,467 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: New Castle or Pittsburgh?

New Castle has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $54,479/year, compared to Pittsburgh at $52,001/year — a difference of $2,478 (4.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Castle and Pittsburgh?

New Castle medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $26.19/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $25.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Castle to Pittsburgh as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Castle and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Castle = $55,933, Pittsburgh = $54,928), job availability (4 vs 2,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in New Castle vs Pittsburgh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35,379 in New Castle and $40,554 in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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