Med Lab Scientist Salary

New Orleans vs Slidell: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between New Orleans, LA and Slidell, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Orleans, LA
$60,662
$29.16/hr
Slidell, LA
$61,241
$29.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LASlidell, LA
Median Salary$60,662$61,241
Hourly Rate$29.16$29.45
Entry Level (P10)$32,657$39,506
25th Percentile$43,067$43,558
75th Percentile$76,980$78,389
Top Earner (P90)$99,763$89,726
Total Employed1,030150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($60,662) and Slidell ($61,241) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.New OrleansSlidellMedian Salary$60,662$61,241Entry Level (P10)$32,657$39,506Top Earner (P90)$99,763$89,726US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New Orleans and Slidell is $579 (0.95%). Slidell's median is -10.90% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Orleans spans $67,106,Slidell spans $50,220. New Orleans has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$32,657
P25$43,067
Median$60,662
P75$76,980
P90 (Top)$99,763
Slidell
P10 (Entry)$39,506
P25$43,558
Median$61,241
P75$78,389
P90 (Top)$89,726

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Slidell ($66,045 effective) pays 0.81% more than New Orleans ($65,512 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $60,662
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $65,512
Slidell
Nominal: $61,241
CoL Index: 92.726
Adjusted: $66,045

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($99,763)
  • Larger job market (1,030 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Slidell if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,241/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,045)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in New Orleans grew 15.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.8% growth in Slidell over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+15.1%

$51,140 (2019) → $58,872 (2025)

Slidell, LA

+0.8%

$58,960 (2024) → $59,434 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: New Orleans or Slidell?

Slidell has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $61,241/year, compared to New Orleans at $60,662/year — a difference of $579 (0.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Orleans and Slidell?

New Orleans medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $29.16/hr while Slidell hygienists earn $29.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Orleans to Slidell as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Slidell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $65,512, Slidell = $66,045), job availability (1,030 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in New Orleans vs Slidell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32,657 in New Orleans and $39,506 in Slidell. The Slidell 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