Med Lab Scientist Salary

Charleston vs Fort Mill: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Charleston, SC and Fort Mill, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$63,404
$30.48/hr
Fort Mill, SC
$59,572
$28.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCFort Mill, SC
Median Salary$63,404$59,572
Hourly Rate$30.48$28.65
Entry Level (P10)$39,353$39,311
25th Percentile$49,489$46,156
75th Percentile$80,322$75,394
Top Earner (P90)$89,082$90,487
Total Employed8305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($63,404) and Fort Mill ($59,572) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.CharlestonFort MillMedian Salary$63,404$59,572Entry Level (P10)$39,353$39,311Top Earner (P90)$89,082$90,487US Median $68,734

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Mill.

The salary gap between Charleston and Fort Mill is $3,832 (6.43%). Charleston's median is -7.75% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $49,729,Fort Mill spans $51,176. Fort Mill has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$39,353
P25$49,489
Median$63,404
P75$80,322
P90 (Top)$89,082
Fort Mill
P10 (Entry)$39,311
P25$46,156
Median$59,572
P75$75,394
P90 (Top)$90,487

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Mill ($65,106 effective) pays 3.67% more than Charleston ($62,800 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $63,404
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $62,800
Fort Mill
Nominal: $59,572
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $65,106

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,404/year)
  • Larger job market (830 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Mill if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($90,487)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,106)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Charleston grew 9.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.9% growth in Fort Mill over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+9.3%

$56,280 (2019) → $61,533 (2025)

Fort Mill, SC

+5.9%

$54,604 (2024) → $57,814 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Charleston or Fort Mill?

Charleston has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $63,404/year, compared to Fort Mill at $59,572/year — a difference of $3,832 (6.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Fort Mill?

Charleston medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.48/hr while Fort Mill hygienists earn $28.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Fort Mill as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Fort Mill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $62,800, Fort Mill = $65,106), job availability (830 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Charleston vs Fort Mill?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39,353 in Charleston and $39,311 in Fort Mill. The Charleston 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