Med Lab Scientist Salary

Pearl City vs Urban Honolulu: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Pearl City, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Pearl City, HI
$84,362
$40.56/hr
Urban Honolulu, HI
$72,108
$34.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPearl City, HIUrban Honolulu, HI
Median Salary$84,362$72,108
Hourly Rate$40.56$34.66
Entry Level (P10)$50,341$52,951
25th Percentile$65,208$57,451
75th Percentile$107,983$90,851
Top Earner (P90)$130,761$111,407
Total Employed8920
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pearl City ($84,362) and Urban Honolulu ($72,108) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Pearl CityUrban HonoluluMedian Salary$84,362$72,108Entry Level (P10)$50,341$52,951Top Earner (P90)$130,761$111,407US Median $68,734

Verdict

Pearl City, HI offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Urban Honolulu.

The salary gap between Pearl City and Urban Honolulu is $12,254 (16.99%). Pearl City's median is +22.74% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pearl City spans $80,420,Urban Honolulu spans $58,456. Pearl City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pearl City
P10 (Entry)$50,341
P25$65,208
Median$84,362
P75$107,983
P90 (Top)$130,761
Urban Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$52,951
P25$57,451
Median$72,108
P75$90,851
P90 (Top)$111,407

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pearl City ($70,714 effective) pays 8.82% more than Urban Honolulu ($64,985 effective).

Pearl City
Nominal: $84,362
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $70,714
Urban Honolulu
Nominal: $72,108
CoL Index: 110.961
Adjusted: $64,985

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pearl City if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,362/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,761)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,714)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Urban Honolulu if…

  • Larger job market (920 employed)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Pearl City grew -13.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.7% growth in Urban Honolulu over the same period.

Pearl City, HI

+-13.8%

$94,948 (2024) → $81,873 (2025)

Urban Honolulu, HI

+19.7%

$58,470 (2019) → $69,981 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Pearl City or Urban Honolulu?

Pearl City has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $84,362/year, compared to Urban Honolulu at $72,108/year — a difference of $12,254 (16.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pearl City and Urban Honolulu?

Pearl City medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40.56/hr while Urban Honolulu hygienists earn $34.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pearl City to Urban Honolulu as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pearl City and Urban Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pearl City = $70,714, Urban Honolulu = $64,985), job availability (8 vs 920 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Pearl City vs Urban Honolulu?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $50,341 in Pearl City and $52,951 in Urban Honolulu. The Urban Honolulu 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