Med Lab Scientist Salary

Baytown vs Houston: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Baytown, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baytown, TX
$63,121
$30.35/hr
Houston, TX
$67,008
$32.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaytown, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$63,121$67,008
Hourly Rate$30.35$32.22
Entry Level (P10)$37,239$43,045
25th Percentile$45,980$51,302
75th Percentile$80,796$85,106
Top Earner (P90)$97,838$107,584
Total Employed167,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baytown ($63,121) and Houston ($67,008) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BaytownHoustonMedian Salary$63,121$67,008Entry Level (P10)$37,239$43,045Top Earner (P90)$97,838$107,584US Median $68,734

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Baytown.

The salary gap between Baytown and Houston is $3,887 (6.16%). Houston's median is -2.51% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baytown spans $60,599,Houston spans $64,539. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Baytown
P10 (Entry)$37,239
P25$45,980
Median$63,121
P75$80,796
P90 (Top)$97,838
Houston
P10 (Entry)$43,045
P25$51,302
Median$67,008
P75$85,106
P90 (Top)$107,584

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($67,939 effective) pays 3.33% more than Baytown ($65,751 effective).

Baytown
Nominal: $63,121
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $65,751
Houston
Nominal: $67,008
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $67,939

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baytown if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,008/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,584)
  • Larger job market (7,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,939)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Baytown grew -5.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Houston over the same period.

Baytown, TX

+-5.7%

$64,950 (2024) → $61,259 (2025)

Houston, TX

+22.4%

$53,120 (2019) → $65,031 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Baytown or Houston?

Houston has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,008/year, compared to Baytown at $63,121/year — a difference of $3,887 (6.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baytown and Houston?

Baytown medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.35/hr while Houston hygienists earn $32.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baytown to Houston as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baytown and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baytown = $65,751, Houston = $67,939), job availability (16 vs 7,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Baytown vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $37,239 in Baytown and $43,045 in Houston. The Houston 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