Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Allentown, PA
$64,441
$30.97/hr
Scranton, PA
$56,446
$27.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PAScranton, PA
Median Salary$64,441$56,446
Hourly Rate$30.97$27.14
Entry Level (P10)$42,007$40,619
25th Percentile$48,811$47,141
75th Percentile$85,674$79,208
Top Earner (P90)$100,114$89,792
Total Employed1,080550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($64,441) and Scranton ($56,446) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.AllentownScrantonMedian Salary$64,441$56,446Entry Level (P10)$42,007$40,619Top Earner (P90)$100,114$89,792US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Allentown and Scranton is $7,995 (14.16%). 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,Scranton spans $49,173. 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
Scranton
P10 (Entry)$40,619
P25$47,141
Median$56,446
P75$79,208
P90 (Top)$89,792

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($64,462 effective) pays 6.84% more than Scranton ($60,334 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $64,441
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $64,462
Scranton
Nominal: $56,446
CoL Index: 93.556
Adjusted: $60,334

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 Scranton 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 5.3% growth in Scranton over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+16.7%

$53,590 (2019) → $62,540 (2025)

Scranton, PA

+5.3%

$52,040 (2019) → $54,781 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Allentown has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,441/year, compared to Scranton at $56,446/year — a difference of $7,995 (14.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Scranton?

Allentown medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.97/hr while Scranton hygienists earn $27.14/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Scranton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $64,462, Scranton = $60,334), job availability (1,080 vs 550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,007 in Allentown and $40,619 in Scranton. 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