Med Lab Scientist Salary

New York vs Rochester: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between New York, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$105,869
$50.90/hr
Rochester, NY
$88,786
$42.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$105,869$88,786
Hourly Rate$50.90$42.68
Entry Level (P10)$53,999$50,603
25th Percentile$70,579$67,969
75th Percentile$135,381$102,123
Top Earner (P90)$145,386$109,070
Total Employed16,2201,140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($105,869) and Rochester ($88,786) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.New YorkRochesterMedian Salary$105,869$88,786Entry Level (P10)$53,999$50,603Top Earner (P90)$145,386$109,070US Median $68,734

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between New York and Rochester is $17,083 (19.24%). New York's median is +54.03% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $91,387,Rochester spans $58,467. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$53,999
P25$70,579
Median$105,869
P75$135,381
P90 (Top)$145,386
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$50,603
P25$67,969
Median$88,786
P75$102,123
P90 (Top)$109,070

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($94,053 effective) pays 2.79% more than Rochester ($91,499 effective).

New York
Nominal: $105,869
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $94,053
Rochester
Nominal: $88,786
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $91,499

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,869/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($145,386)
  • Larger job market (16,220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,053)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in New York grew 48.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 53.6% growth in Rochester over the same period.

New York, NY

+48.3%

$69,260 (2019) → $102,746 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+53.6%

$56,110 (2019) → $86,167 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: New York or Rochester?

New York has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $105,869/year, compared to Rochester at $88,786/year — a difference of $17,083 (19.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Rochester?

New York medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $50.90/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $42.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Rochester as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $94,053, Rochester = $91,499), job availability (16,220 vs 1,140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in New York vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $53,999 in New York and $50,603 in Rochester. The New York 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