Med Lab Scientist Salary

Allentown vs New Castle: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Allentown, PA and New Castle, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$64,441
$30.97/hr
New Castle, PA
$54,479
$26.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PANew Castle, PA
Median Salary$64,441$54,479
Hourly Rate$30.97$26.19
Entry Level (P10)$42,007$35,379
25th Percentile$48,811$43,936
75th Percentile$85,674$67,404
Top Earner (P90)$100,114$80,253
Total Employed1,0804
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($64,441) and New Castle ($54,479) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AllentownNew CastleMedian Salary$64,441$54,479Entry Level (P10)$42,007$35,379Top Earner (P90)$100,114$80,253US Median $68,734

Verdict

Allentown, PA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to New Castle.

The salary gap between Allentown and New Castle is $9,962 (18.29%). Allentown's median is -6.25% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $58,107,New Castle spans $44,874. Allentown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$42,007
P25$48,811
Median$64,441
P75$85,674
P90 (Top)$100,114
New Castle
P10 (Entry)$35,379
P25$43,936
Median$54,479
P75$67,404
P90 (Top)$80,253

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($64,462 effective) pays 15.25% more than New Castle ($55,933 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $64,441
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $64,462
New Castle
Nominal: $54,479
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $55,933

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,441/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,114)
  • Larger job market (1,080 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,462)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose New Castle if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Allentown grew 16.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -18.9% growth in New Castle over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+16.7%

$53,590 (2019) → $62,540 (2025)

New Castle, PA

+-18.9%

$65,230 (2024) → $52,872 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Allentown or New Castle?

Allentown has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,441/year, compared to New Castle at $54,479/year — a difference of $9,962 (18.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and New Castle?

Allentown medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.97/hr while New Castle hygienists earn $26.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to New Castle as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and New Castle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $64,462, New Castle = $55,933), job availability (1,080 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Allentown vs New Castle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,007 in Allentown and $35,379 in New Castle. The Allentown 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