Med Lab Scientist Salary

Birmingham vs Northport: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Birmingham, AL and Northport, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$56,173
$27.01/hr
Northport, AL
$51,680
$24.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALNorthport, AL
Median Salary$56,173$51,680
Hourly Rate$27.01$24.84
Entry Level (P10)$39,921$31,575
25th Percentile$46,234$38,329
75th Percentile$71,999$65,386
Top Earner (P90)$89,781$79,272
Total Employed2,7905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($56,173) and Northport ($51,680) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BirminghamNorthportMedian Salary$56,173$51,680Entry Level (P10)$39,921$31,575Top Earner (P90)$89,781$79,272US Median $68,734

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Northport.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Northport is $4,493 (8.69%). Birmingham's median is -18.27% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $49,860,Northport spans $47,697. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$39,921
P25$46,234
Median$56,173
P75$71,999
P90 (Top)$89,781
Northport
P10 (Entry)$31,575
P25$38,329
Median$51,680
P75$65,386
P90 (Top)$79,272

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($61,295 effective) pays 4.25% more than Northport ($58,794 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $56,173
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $61,295
Northport
Nominal: $51,680
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $58,794

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,173/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,781)
  • Larger job market (2,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,295)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Northport if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Birmingham grew 12.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.7% growth in Northport over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+12.1%

$48,630 (2019) → $54,516 (2025)

Northport, AL

+0.7%

$49,783 (2024) → $50,155 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Birmingham or Northport?

Birmingham has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $56,173/year, compared to Northport at $51,680/year — a difference of $4,493 (8.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Northport?

Birmingham medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.01/hr while Northport hygienists earn $24.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Northport as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Northport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $61,295, Northport = $58,794), job availability (2,790 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Birmingham vs Northport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39,921 in Birmingham and $31,575 in Northport. The Birmingham 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