Med Lab Scientist Salary

Raleigh vs Thomasville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Raleigh, NC and Thomasville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raleigh, NC
$65,260
$31.38/hr
Thomasville, NC
$63,146
$30.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCThomasville, NC
Median Salary$65,260$63,146
Hourly Rate$31.38$30.36
Entry Level (P10)$43,896$39,006
25th Percentile$52,657$47,209
75th Percentile$83,533$78,933
Top Earner (P90)$94,466$97,877
Total Employed1,8104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($65,260) and Thomasville ($63,146) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.RaleighThomasvilleMedian Salary$65,260$63,146Entry Level (P10)$43,896$39,006Top Earner (P90)$94,466$97,877US Median $68,734

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Thomasville.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Thomasville is $2,114 (3.35%). Raleigh's median is -5.05% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raleigh spans $50,570,Thomasville spans $58,871. Thomasville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$43,896
P25$52,657
Median$65,260
P75$83,533
P90 (Top)$94,466
Thomasville
P10 (Entry)$39,006
P25$47,209
Median$63,146
P75$78,933
P90 (Top)$97,877

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Thomasville ($67,464 effective) pays 1.47% more than Raleigh ($66,485 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $65,260
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $66,485
Thomasville
Nominal: $63,146
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $67,464

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,260/year)
  • Larger job market (1,810 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Thomasville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($97,877)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,464)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Raleigh grew 17.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.1% growth in Thomasville over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+17.2%

$54,060 (2019) → $63,335 (2025)

Thomasville, NC

+1.1%

$60,606 (2024) → $61,283 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Raleigh or Thomasville?

Raleigh has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $65,260/year, compared to Thomasville at $63,146/year — a difference of $2,114 (3.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Thomasville?

Raleigh medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.38/hr while Thomasville hygienists earn $30.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Thomasville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Thomasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $66,485, Thomasville = $67,464), job availability (1,810 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Raleigh vs Thomasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,896 in Raleigh and $39,006 in Thomasville. The Raleigh 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