Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Salem, MA
$83,644
$40.22/hr
Springfield, MA
$76,030
$36.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalem, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$83,644$76,030
Hourly Rate$40.22$36.56
Entry Level (P10)$56,071$43,601
25th Percentile$65,786$57,254
75th Percentile$104,571$95,952
Top Earner (P90)$129,648$109,790
Total Employed8540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salem ($83,644) and Springfield ($76,030) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.SalemSpringfieldMedian Salary$83,644$76,030Entry Level (P10)$56,071$43,601Top Earner (P90)$129,648$109,790US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Salem and Springfield is $7,614 (10.01%). Salem's median is +21.69% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salem spans $73,577,Springfield spans $66,189. Salem has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Salem
P10 (Entry)$56,071
P25$65,786
Median$83,644
P75$104,571
P90 (Top)$129,648
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$43,601
P25$57,254
Median$76,030
P75$95,952
P90 (Top)$109,790

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($79,148 effective) pays 2.67% more than Salem ($77,091 effective).

Salem
Nominal: $83,644
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $77,091
Springfield
Nominal: $76,030
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $79,148

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,644/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,648)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,148)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Salem grew -9.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.2% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Salem, MA

+-9.7%

$89,906 (2024) → $81,176 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+17.2%

$62,980 (2019) → $73,787 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Salem has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $83,644/year, compared to Springfield at $76,030/year — a difference of $7,614 (10.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salem and Springfield?

Salem medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40.22/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $36.56/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salem and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salem = $77,091, Springfield = $79,148), job availability (8 vs 540 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $56,071 in Salem and $43,601 in Springfield. The Salem 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