Med Lab Scientist Salary

Piscataway vs Trenton: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Piscataway, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Piscataway, NJ
$83,461
$40.12/hr
Trenton, NJ
$79,699
$38.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPiscataway, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$83,461$79,699
Hourly Rate$40.12$38.31
Entry Level (P10)$49,163$51,553
25th Percentile$60,740$65,282
75th Percentile$106,831$95,067
Top Earner (P90)$129,365$107,213
Total Employed14380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Piscataway ($83,461) and Trenton ($79,699) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.PiscatawayTrentonMedian Salary$83,461$79,699Entry Level (P10)$49,163$51,553Top Earner (P90)$129,365$107,213US Median $68,734

Verdict

Piscataway, NJ offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Piscataway and Trenton is $3,762 (4.72%). Piscataway's median is +21.43% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Piscataway spans $80,202,Trenton spans $55,660. Piscataway has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Piscataway
P10 (Entry)$49,163
P25$60,740
Median$83,461
P75$106,831
P90 (Top)$129,365
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$51,553
P25$65,282
Median$79,699
P75$95,067
P90 (Top)$107,213

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($77,243 effective) pays 6.62% more than Piscataway ($72,449 effective).

Piscataway
Nominal: $83,461
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $72,449
Trenton
Nominal: $79,699
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $77,243

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Piscataway if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,461/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,365)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,243)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Piscataway grew -11.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.3% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Piscataway, NJ

+-11.6%

$91,643 (2024) → $80,999 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+23.3%

$62,730 (2019) → $77,348 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Piscataway or Trenton?

Piscataway has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $83,461/year, compared to Trenton at $79,699/year — a difference of $3,762 (4.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Piscataway and Trenton?

Piscataway medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40.12/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $38.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Piscataway to Trenton as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Piscataway and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Piscataway = $72,449, Trenton = $77,243), job availability (14 vs 380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Piscataway vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $49,163 in Piscataway and $51,553 in Trenton. The Trenton 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