Med Lab Scientist Salary

Redmond vs Salem: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Redmond, OR and Salem, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Redmond, OR
$88,119
$42.36/hr
Salem, OR
$85,892
$41.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRedmond, ORSalem, OR
Median Salary$88,119$85,892
Hourly Rate$42.36$41.30
Entry Level (P10)$53,152$56,086
25th Percentile$70,216$63,698
75th Percentile$110,999$107,311
Top Earner (P90)$134,359$126,152
Total Employed5270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Redmond ($88,119) and Salem ($85,892) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.RedmondSalemMedian Salary$88,119$85,892Entry Level (P10)$53,152$56,086Top Earner (P90)$134,359$126,152US Median $68,734

Verdict

Redmond, OR offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salem.

The salary gap between Redmond and Salem is $2,227 (2.59%). Redmond's median is +28.20% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Redmond spans $81,207,Salem spans $70,066. Redmond has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Redmond
P10 (Entry)$53,152
P25$70,216
Median$88,119
P75$110,999
P90 (Top)$134,359
Salem
P10 (Entry)$56,086
P25$63,698
Median$85,892
P75$107,311
P90 (Top)$126,152

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Redmond ($85,886 effective) pays 3.64% more than Salem ($82,868 effective).

Redmond
Nominal: $88,119
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $85,886
Salem
Nominal: $85,892
CoL Index: 103.649
Adjusted: $82,868

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Redmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,119/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,359)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,886)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Salem if…

  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Redmond grew -0.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 72.7% growth in Salem over the same period.

Redmond, OR

+-0.3%

$85,757 (2024) → $85,519 (2025)

Salem, OR

+72.7%

$48,280 (2019) → $83,358 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Redmond or Salem?

Redmond has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $88,119/year, compared to Salem at $85,892/year — a difference of $2,227 (2.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Redmond and Salem?

Redmond medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42.36/hr while Salem hygienists earn $41.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Redmond to Salem as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Redmond and Salem. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Redmond = $85,886, Salem = $82,868), job availability (5 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Redmond vs Salem?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $53,152 in Redmond and $56,086 in Salem. The Salem area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

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