Med Lab Scientist Salary

Norfolk vs Omaha: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Norfolk, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Norfolk, NE
$62,086
$29.85/hr
Omaha, NE
$64,900
$31.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorfolk, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$62,086$64,900
Hourly Rate$29.85$31.20
Entry Level (P10)$42,474$40,783
25th Percentile$49,394$49,314
75th Percentile$78,472$84,407
Top Earner (P90)$94,137$103,018
Total Employed6920
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Norfolk ($62,086) and Omaha ($64,900) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.NorfolkOmahaMedian Salary$62,086$64,900Entry Level (P10)$42,474$40,783Top Earner (P90)$94,137$103,018US Median $68,734

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Norfolk.

The salary gap between Norfolk and Omaha is $2,814 (4.53%). Omaha's median is -5.58% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Norfolk spans $51,663,Omaha spans $62,235. Omaha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Norfolk
P10 (Entry)$42,474
P25$49,394
Median$62,086
P75$78,472
P90 (Top)$94,137
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$40,783
P25$49,314
Median$64,900
P75$84,407
P90 (Top)$103,018

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($70,612 effective) pays 4.06% more than Norfolk ($67,854 effective).

Norfolk
Nominal: $62,086
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $67,854
Omaha
Nominal: $64,900
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $70,612

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Norfolk if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,900/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,018)
  • Larger job market (920 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,612)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Norfolk grew 10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.5% growth in Omaha over the same period.

Norfolk, NE

+10.5%

$54,538 (2024) → $60,254 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+16.5%

$54,070 (2019) → $62,985 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Norfolk or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,900/year, compared to Norfolk at $62,086/year — a difference of $2,814 (4.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Norfolk and Omaha?

Norfolk medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $29.85/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $31.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Norfolk to Omaha as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Norfolk and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Norfolk = $67,854, Omaha = $70,612), job availability (6 vs 920 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Norfolk vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,474 in Norfolk and $40,783 in Omaha. The Norfolk 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