Med Lab Scientist Salary

Trenton vs Union: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Trenton, NJ and Union, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Trenton, NJ
$79,699
$38.31/hr
Union, NJ
$84,732
$40.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTrenton, NJUnion, NJ
Median Salary$79,699$84,732
Hourly Rate$38.31$40.73
Entry Level (P10)$51,553$51,636
25th Percentile$65,282$63,218
75th Percentile$95,067$108,322
Top Earner (P90)$107,213$131,335
Total Employed38015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Trenton ($79,699) and Union ($84,732) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.TrentonUnionMedian Salary$79,699$84,732Entry Level (P10)$51,553$51,636Top Earner (P90)$107,213$131,335US Median $68,734

Verdict

Union, NJ offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Trenton and Union is $5,033 (6.32%). Union's median is +23.28% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Trenton spans $55,660,Union spans $79,699. Union has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Trenton
P10 (Entry)$51,553
P25$65,282
Median$79,699
P75$95,067
P90 (Top)$107,213
Union
P10 (Entry)$51,636
P25$63,218
Median$84,732
P75$108,322
P90 (Top)$131,335

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($77,243 effective) pays 5.02% more than Union ($73,552 effective).

Trenton
Nominal: $79,699
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $77,243
Union
Nominal: $84,732
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $73,552

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,243)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Union if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,732/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($131,335)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Trenton grew 23.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.6% growth in Union over the same period.

Trenton, NJ

+23.3%

$62,730 (2019) → $77,348 (2025)

Union, NJ

+-11.6%

$93,038 (2024) → $82,232 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Trenton or Union?

Union has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $84,732/year, compared to Trenton at $79,699/year — a difference of $5,033 (6.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Trenton and Union?

Trenton medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38.31/hr while Union hygienists earn $40.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Trenton to Union as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Trenton and Union. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Trenton = $77,243, Union = $73,552), job availability (380 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Trenton vs Union?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $51,553 in Trenton and $51,636 in Union. The Union area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

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