Med Lab Scientist Salary

Boston vs New Bedford: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Boston, MA and New Bedford, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$86,810
$41.73/hr
New Bedford, MA
$87,457
$42.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MANew Bedford, MA
Median Salary$86,810$87,457
Hourly Rate$41.73$42.05
Entry Level (P10)$52,329$56,412
25th Percentile$59,002$67,493
75th Percentile$110,249$111,946
Top Earner (P90)$117,152$135,558
Total Employed8,71024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($86,810) and New Bedford ($87,457) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BostonNew BedfordMedian Salary$86,810$87,457Entry Level (P10)$52,329$56,412Top Earner (P90)$117,152$135,558US Median $68,734

Verdict

New Bedford, MA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Boston.

The salary gap between Boston and New Bedford is $647 (0.75%). New Bedford's median is +27.24% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $64,823,New Bedford spans $79,146. New Bedford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$52,329
P25$59,002
Median$86,810
P75$110,249
P90 (Top)$117,152
New Bedford
P10 (Entry)$56,412
P25$67,493
Median$87,457
P75$111,946
P90 (Top)$135,558

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Bedford ($80,606 effective) pays 0.53% more than Boston ($80,182 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $86,810
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $80,182
New Bedford
Nominal: $87,457
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $80,606

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Larger job market (8,710 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose New Bedford if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,457/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($135,558)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,606)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Boston grew 44.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 43.1% growth in New Bedford over the same period.

Boston, MA

+44.0%

$58,520 (2019) → $84,249 (2025)

New Bedford, MA

+43.1%

$59,320 (2021) → $84,877 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Boston or New Bedford?

New Bedford has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $87,457/year, compared to Boston at $86,810/year — a difference of $647 (0.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and New Bedford?

Boston medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41.73/hr while New Bedford hygienists earn $42.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to New Bedford as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and New Bedford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $80,182, New Bedford = $80,606), job availability (8,710 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Boston vs New Bedford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $52,329 in Boston and $56,412 in New Bedford. The New Bedford 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