Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

New York, NY
$105,869
$50.90/hr
Watertown, NY
$88,831
$42.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYWatertown, NY
Median Salary$105,869$88,831
Hourly Rate$50.90$42.71
Entry Level (P10)$53,999$65,479
25th Percentile$70,579$76,335
75th Percentile$135,381$107,890
Top Earner (P90)$145,386$115,514
Total Employed16,22060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($105,869) and Watertown ($88,831) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.New YorkWatertownMedian Salary$105,869$88,831Entry Level (P10)$53,999$65,479Top Earner (P90)$145,386$115,514US 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 Watertown.

The salary gap between New York and Watertown is $17,038 (19.18%). 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,Watertown spans $50,035. 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
Watertown
P10 (Entry)$65,479
P25$76,335
Median$88,831
P75$107,890
P90 (Top)$115,514

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Watertown ($101,301 effective) pays 7.71% more than New York ($94,053 effective).

New York
Nominal: $105,869
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $94,053
Watertown
Nominal: $88,831
CoL Index: 87.69
Adjusted: $101,301

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)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Watertown if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,301)
  • 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 50.1% growth in Watertown over the same period.

New York, NY

+48.3%

$69,260 (2019) → $102,746 (2025)

Watertown, NY

+50.1%

$57,440 (2019) → $86,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New York has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $105,869/year, compared to Watertown at $88,831/year — a difference of $17,038 (19.18%).

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

New York medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $50.90/hr while Watertown hygienists earn $42.71/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Watertown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $94,053, Watertown = $101,301), job availability (16,220 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $53,999 in New York and $65,479 in Watertown. The Watertown 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