Med Lab Scientist Salary

Shawnee vs Tulsa: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Shawnee, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shawnee, OK
$62,945
$30.26/hr
Tulsa, OK
$59,329
$28.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShawnee, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$62,945$59,329
Hourly Rate$30.26$28.53
Entry Level (P10)$37,960$39,298
25th Percentile$50,151$44,169
75th Percentile$79,378$72,982
Top Earner (P90)$97,564$88,755
Total Employed71,170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shawnee ($62,945) and Tulsa ($59,329) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ShawneeTulsaMedian Salary$62,945$59,329Entry Level (P10)$37,960$39,298Top Earner (P90)$97,564$88,755US Median $68,734

Verdict

Shawnee, OK offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tulsa.

The salary gap between Shawnee and Tulsa is $3,616 (6.09%). Shawnee's median is -8.42% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shawnee spans $59,604,Tulsa spans $49,457. Shawnee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shawnee
P10 (Entry)$37,960
P25$50,151
Median$62,945
P75$79,378
P90 (Top)$97,564
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$39,298
P25$44,169
Median$59,329
P75$72,982
P90 (Top)$88,755

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shawnee ($70,804 effective) pays 6.47% more than Tulsa ($66,502 effective).

Shawnee
Nominal: $62,945
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $70,804
Tulsa
Nominal: $59,329
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $66,502

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shawnee if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,945/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,564)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,804)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Larger job market (1,170 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Shawnee grew 17.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.1% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Shawnee, OK

+17.8%

$51,837 (2024) → $61,088 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+23.1%

$46,790 (2019) → $57,579 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Shawnee or Tulsa?

Shawnee has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $62,945/year, compared to Tulsa at $59,329/year — a difference of $3,616 (6.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shawnee and Tulsa?

Shawnee medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.26/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $28.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shawnee to Tulsa as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shawnee and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shawnee = $70,804, Tulsa = $66,502), job availability (7 vs 1,170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Shawnee vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $37,960 in Shawnee and $39,298 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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