Med Lab Scientist Salary

Palm Beach Gardens vs Tampa: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Palm Beach Gardens, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL
$62,059
$29.84/hr
Tampa, FL
$68,319
$32.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPalm Beach Gardens, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$62,059$68,319
Hourly Rate$29.84$32.84
Entry Level (P10)$38,987$40,991
25th Percentile$47,178$45,644
75th Percentile$79,436$87,247
Top Earner (P90)$96,191$107,759
Total Employed94,830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Palm Beach Gardens ($62,059) and Tampa ($68,319) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Palm Beach GardensTampaMedian Salary$62,059$68,319Entry Level (P10)$38,987$40,991Top Earner (P90)$96,191$107,759US Median $68,734

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Palm Beach Gardens.

The salary gap between Palm Beach Gardens and Tampa is $6,260 (10.09%). Tampa's median is -0.60% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Palm Beach Gardens spans $57,204,Tampa spans $66,768. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Palm Beach Gardens
P10 (Entry)$38,987
P25$47,178
Median$62,059
P75$79,436
P90 (Top)$96,191
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$40,991
P25$45,644
Median$68,319
P75$87,247
P90 (Top)$107,759

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($67,716 effective) pays 9.99% more than Palm Beach Gardens ($61,566 effective).

Palm Beach Gardens
Nominal: $62,059
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $61,566
Tampa
Nominal: $68,319
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $67,716

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Palm Beach Gardens if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,319/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,759)
  • Larger job market (4,830 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,716)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Palm Beach Gardens grew -3.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.8% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

+-3.9%

$62,684 (2024) → $60,228 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+36.8%

$48,460 (2019) → $66,303 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Palm Beach Gardens or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $68,319/year, compared to Palm Beach Gardens at $62,059/year — a difference of $6,260 (10.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Palm Beach Gardens and Tampa?

Palm Beach Gardens medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $29.84/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $32.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Palm Beach Gardens to Tampa as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Palm Beach Gardens and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Palm Beach Gardens = $61,566, Tampa = $67,716), job availability (9 vs 4,830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Palm Beach Gardens vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38,987 in Palm Beach Gardens and $40,991 in Tampa. The Tampa area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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