Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Springfield, MA
$76,030
$36.56/hr
Watertown, MA
$85,685
$41.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MAWatertown, MA
Median Salary$76,030$85,685
Hourly Rate$36.56$41.20
Entry Level (P10)$43,601$53,889
25th Percentile$57,254$68,001
75th Percentile$95,952$107,665
Top Earner (P90)$109,790$130,210
Total Employed5407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($76,030) and Watertown ($85,685) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.SpringfieldWatertownMedian Salary$76,030$85,685Entry Level (P10)$43,601$53,889Top Earner (P90)$109,790$130,210US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Springfield and Watertown is $9,655 (12.70%). Watertown's median is +24.66% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $66,189,Watertown spans $76,321. Watertown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$43,601
P25$57,254
Median$76,030
P75$95,952
P90 (Top)$109,790
Watertown
P10 (Entry)$53,889
P25$68,001
Median$85,685
P75$107,665
P90 (Top)$130,210

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($79,148 effective) pays 0.22% more than Watertown ($78,972 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $76,030
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $79,148
Watertown
Nominal: $85,685
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $78,972

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

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

Choose Watertown if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,685/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,210)
  • 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 Springfield grew 17.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -9.7% growth in Watertown over the same period.

Springfield, MA

+17.2%

$62,980 (2019) → $73,787 (2025)

Watertown, MA

+-9.7%

$92,100 (2024) → $83,157 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Watertown has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $85,685/year, compared to Springfield at $76,030/year — a difference of $9,655 (12.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and Watertown?

Springfield medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $36.56/hr while Watertown hygienists earn $41.20/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and Watertown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $79,148, Watertown = $78,972), job availability (540 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,601 in Springfield and $53,889 in Watertown. The Watertown 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