Med Lab Scientist Salary

Burnsville vs Duluth: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Burnsville, MN and Duluth, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burnsville, MN
$70,771
$34.02/hr
Duluth, MN
$70,252
$33.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurnsville, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$70,771$70,252
Hourly Rate$34.02$33.78
Entry Level (P10)$46,408$54,568
25th Percentile$55,044$63,164
75th Percentile$90,587$82,638
Top Earner (P90)$109,695$91,507
Total Employed9280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burnsville ($70,771) and Duluth ($70,252) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BurnsvilleDuluthMedian Salary$70,771$70,252Entry Level (P10)$46,408$54,568Top Earner (P90)$109,695$91,507US Median $68,734

Verdict

Burnsville, MN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Burnsville and Duluth is $519 (0.74%). Burnsville's median is +2.96% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burnsville spans $63,287,Duluth spans $36,939. Burnsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burnsville
P10 (Entry)$46,408
P25$55,044
Median$70,771
P75$90,587
P90 (Top)$109,695
Duluth
P10 (Entry)$54,568
P25$63,164
Median$70,252
P75$82,638
P90 (Top)$91,507

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($79,141 effective) pays 10.15% more than Burnsville ($71,849 effective).

Burnsville
Nominal: $70,771
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $71,849
Duluth
Nominal: $70,252
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $79,141

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burnsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,771/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,695)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,141)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Burnsville grew -4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Duluth over the same period.

Burnsville, MN

+-4.4%

$71,881 (2024) → $68,683 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+24.8%

$54,620 (2019) → $68,179 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Burnsville or Duluth?

Burnsville has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $70,771/year, compared to Duluth at $70,252/year — a difference of $519 (0.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burnsville and Duluth?

Burnsville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $34.02/hr while Duluth hygienists earn $33.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burnsville to Duluth as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burnsville and Duluth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burnsville = $71,849, Duluth = $79,141), job availability (9 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Burnsville vs Duluth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $46,408 in Burnsville and $54,568 in Duluth. The Duluth 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