Med Lab Scientist Salary

Norwich vs Waterbury: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Norwich, CT and Waterbury, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Norwich, CT
$81,775
$39.32/hr
Waterbury, CT
$88,710
$42.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorwich, CTWaterbury, CT
Median Salary$81,775$88,710
Hourly Rate$39.32$42.65
Entry Level (P10)$52,743$48,101
25th Percentile$65,053$62,628
75th Percentile$106,153$107,955
Top Earner (P90)$113,471$114,826
Total Employed100370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Norwich ($81,775) and Waterbury ($88,710) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.NorwichWaterburyMedian Salary$81,775$88,710Entry Level (P10)$52,743$48,101Top Earner (P90)$113,471$114,826US Median $68,734

Verdict

Waterbury, CT offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Norwich.

The salary gap between Norwich and Waterbury is $6,935 (8.48%). Waterbury's median is +29.06% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Norwich spans $60,728,Waterbury spans $66,725. Waterbury has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Norwich
P10 (Entry)$52,743
P25$65,053
Median$81,775
P75$106,153
P90 (Top)$113,471
Waterbury
P10 (Entry)$48,101
P25$62,628
Median$88,710
P75$107,955
P90 (Top)$114,826

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waterbury ($88,907 effective) pays 9.21% more than Norwich ($81,413 effective).

Norwich
Nominal: $81,775
CoL Index: 100.445
Adjusted: $81,413
Waterbury
Nominal: $88,710
CoL Index: 99.778
Adjusted: $88,907

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Norwich if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Waterbury if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,710/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($114,826)
  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,907)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Norwich grew 16.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.5% growth in Waterbury over the same period.

Norwich, CT

+16.5%

$68,130 (2019) → $79,362 (2025)

Waterbury, CT

+28.5%

$67,010 (2019) → $86,093 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Norwich or Waterbury?

Waterbury has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $88,710/year, compared to Norwich at $81,775/year — a difference of $6,935 (8.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Norwich and Waterbury?

Norwich medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39.32/hr while Waterbury hygienists earn $42.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Norwich to Waterbury as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Norwich and Waterbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Norwich = $81,413, Waterbury = $88,907), job availability (100 vs 370 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Norwich vs Waterbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $52,743 in Norwich and $48,101 in Waterbury. The Norwich 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