Med Lab Scientist Salary

Overland Park vs Topeka: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Overland Park, KS and Topeka, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Overland Park, KS
$67,310
$32.36/hr
Topeka, KS
$70,154
$33.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOverland Park, KSTopeka, KS
Median Salary$67,310$70,154
Hourly Rate$32.36$33.72
Entry Level (P10)$39,067$43,634
25th Percentile$48,650$53,847
75th Percentile$86,157$86,329
Top Earner (P90)$104,330$107,256
Total Employed29290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Overland Park ($67,310) and Topeka ($70,154) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Overland ParkTopekaMedian Salary$67,310$70,154Entry Level (P10)$39,067$43,634Top Earner (P90)$104,330$107,256US Median $68,734

Verdict

Topeka, KS offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Overland Park.

The salary gap between Overland Park and Topeka is $2,844 (4.23%). Topeka's median is +2.07% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Overland Park spans $65,263,Topeka spans $63,622. Overland Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Overland Park
P10 (Entry)$39,067
P25$48,650
Median$67,310
P75$86,157
P90 (Top)$104,330
Topeka
P10 (Entry)$43,634
P25$53,847
Median$70,154
P75$86,329
P90 (Top)$107,256

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Topeka ($78,984 effective) pays 6.67% more than Overland Park ($74,048 effective).

Overland Park
Nominal: $67,310
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $74,048
Topeka
Nominal: $70,154
CoL Index: 88.82
Adjusted: $78,984

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Overland Park if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Topeka if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,154/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,256)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,984)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Overland Park grew 14.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.1% growth in Topeka over the same period.

Overland Park, KS

+14.0%

$57,279 (2024) → $65,324 (2025)

Topeka, KS

+21.1%

$56,200 (2019) → $68,084 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Overland Park or Topeka?

Topeka has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $70,154/year, compared to Overland Park at $67,310/year — a difference of $2,844 (4.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Overland Park and Topeka?

Overland Park medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32.36/hr while Topeka hygienists earn $33.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Overland Park to Topeka as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Overland Park and Topeka. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Overland Park = $74,048, Topeka = $78,984), job availability (29 vs 290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Overland Park vs Topeka?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39,067 in Overland Park and $43,634 in Topeka. The Topeka 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