Med Lab Scientist Salary

San Francisco vs Upland: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between San Francisco, CA and Upland, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$91,889
$44.18/hr
Upland, CA
$75,137
$36.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAUpland, CA
Median Salary$91,889$75,137
Hourly Rate$44.18$36.13
Entry Level (P10)$60,695$46,645
25th Percentile$74,064$56,702
75th Percentile$105,749$96,175
Top Earner (P90)$145,987$116,462
Total Employed5,21018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($91,889) and Upland ($75,137) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.San FranciscoUplandMedian Salary$91,889$75,137Entry Level (P10)$60,695$46,645Top Earner (P90)$145,987$116,462US Median $68,734

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Upland.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Upland is $16,752 (22.30%). San Francisco's median is +33.69% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $85,292,Upland spans $69,817. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$60,695
P25$74,064
Median$91,889
P75$105,749
P90 (Top)$145,987
Upland
P10 (Entry)$46,645
P25$56,702
Median$75,137
P75$96,175
P90 (Top)$116,462

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($79,480 effective) pays 19.64% more than Upland ($66,434 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $91,889
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $79,480
Upland
Nominal: $75,137
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $66,434

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($91,889/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($145,987)
  • Larger job market (5,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,480)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Upland if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in San Francisco grew 39.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -33.3% growth in Upland over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+39.3%

$64,010 (2019) → $89,178 (2025)

Upland, CA

+-33.3%

$109,376 (2024) → $72,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: San Francisco or Upland?

San Francisco has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $91,889/year, compared to Upland at $75,137/year — a difference of $16,752 (22.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Upland?

San Francisco medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $44.18/hr while Upland hygienists earn $36.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Upland as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Upland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $79,480, Upland = $66,434), job availability (5,210 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in San Francisco vs Upland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $60,695 in San Francisco and $46,645 in Upland. The San Francisco 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