Med Lab Scientist Salary

Richmond vs South Bend: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Richmond, IN and South Bend, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richmond, IN
$52,247
$25.12/hr
South Bend, IN
$58,030
$27.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, INSouth Bend, IN
Median Salary$52,247$58,030
Hourly Rate$25.12$27.89
Entry Level (P10)$31,405$43,274
25th Percentile$41,714$50,111
75th Percentile$65,892$73,495
Top Earner (P90)$79,794$91,768
Total Employed7230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($52,247) and South Bend ($58,030) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.RichmondSouth BendMedian Salary$52,247$58,030Entry Level (P10)$31,405$43,274Top Earner (P90)$79,794$91,768US Median $68,734

Verdict

South Bend, IN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Richmond.

The salary gap between Richmond and South Bend is $5,783 (11.07%). South Bend's median is -15.57% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $48,389,South Bend spans $48,494. South Bend has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$31,405
P25$41,714
Median$52,247
P75$65,892
P90 (Top)$79,794
South Bend
P10 (Entry)$43,274
P25$50,111
Median$58,030
P75$73,495
P90 (Top)$91,768

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, South Bend ($62,493 effective) pays 9.21% more than Richmond ($57,226 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $52,247
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $57,226
South Bend
Nominal: $58,030
CoL Index: 92.858
Adjusted: $62,493

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose South Bend if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,030/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,768)
  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,493)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Richmond grew -13.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.0% growth in South Bend over the same period.

Richmond, IN

+-13.5%

$58,640 (2024) → $50,706 (2025)

South Bend, IN

+32.0%

$42,680 (2019) → $56,318 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Richmond or South Bend?

South Bend has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $58,030/year, compared to Richmond at $52,247/year — a difference of $5,783 (11.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and South Bend?

Richmond medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $25.12/hr while South Bend hygienists earn $27.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richmond to South Bend as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and South Bend. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $57,226, South Bend = $62,493), job availability (7 vs 230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Richmond vs South Bend?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31,405 in Richmond and $43,274 in South Bend. The South Bend 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