Med Lab Scientist Salary

Sierra Vista vs Tucson: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Sierra Vista, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sierra Vista, AZ
$57,986
$27.88/hr
Tucson, AZ
$67,412
$32.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSierra Vista, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$57,986$67,412
Hourly Rate$27.88$32.41
Entry Level (P10)$39,418$44,857
25th Percentile$39,691$50,646
75th Percentile$84,505$93,134
Top Earner (P90)$98,967$116,562
Total Employed80440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sierra Vista ($57,986) and Tucson ($67,412) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Sierra VistaTucsonMedian Salary$57,986$67,412Entry Level (P10)$39,418$44,857Top Earner (P90)$98,967$116,562US Median $68,734

Verdict

Tucson, AZ offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sierra Vista.

The salary gap between Sierra Vista and Tucson is $9,426 (16.26%). Tucson's median is -1.92% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sierra Vista spans $59,549,Tucson spans $71,705. Tucson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Sierra Vista
P10 (Entry)$39,418
P25$39,691
Median$57,986
P75$84,505
P90 (Top)$98,967
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$44,857
P25$50,646
Median$67,412
P75$93,134
P90 (Top)$116,562

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($69,571 effective) pays 7.07% more than Sierra Vista ($64,975 effective).

Sierra Vista
Nominal: $57,986
CoL Index: 89.243
Adjusted: $64,975
Tucson
Nominal: $67,412
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $69,571

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sierra Vista if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,412/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,562)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,571)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Sierra Vista grew 3.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.6% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Sierra Vista, AZ

+3.5%

$54,350 (2019) → $56,275 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+26.6%

$51,660 (2019) → $65,423 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Sierra Vista or Tucson?

Tucson has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,412/year, compared to Sierra Vista at $57,986/year — a difference of $9,426 (16.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sierra Vista and Tucson?

Sierra Vista medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.88/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $32.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sierra Vista to Tucson as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sierra Vista and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sierra Vista = $64,975, Tucson = $69,571), job availability (80 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Sierra Vista vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39,418 in Sierra Vista and $44,857 in Tucson. The Tucson 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