Med Lab Scientist Salary

Chicago vs Romeoville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Chicago, IL and Romeoville, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$80,781
$38.84/hr
Romeoville, IL
$69,584
$33.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILRomeoville, IL
Median Salary$80,781$69,584
Hourly Rate$38.84$33.46
Entry Level (P10)$48,692$45,966
25th Percentile$58,783$54,158
75th Percentile$91,801$89,013
Top Earner (P90)$110,118$107,855
Total Employed7,6207
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($80,781) and Romeoville ($69,584) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ChicagoRomeovilleMedian Salary$80,781$69,584Entry Level (P10)$48,692$45,966Top Earner (P90)$110,118$107,855US Median $68,734

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Romeoville.

The salary gap between Chicago and Romeoville is $11,197 (16.09%). Chicago's median is +17.53% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $61,426,Romeoville spans $61,889. Romeoville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$48,692
P25$58,783
Median$80,781
P75$91,801
P90 (Top)$110,118
Romeoville
P10 (Entry)$45,966
P25$54,158
Median$69,584
P75$89,013
P90 (Top)$107,855

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($77,978 effective) pays 8.81% more than Romeoville ($71,662 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $80,781
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $77,978
Romeoville
Nominal: $69,584
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $71,662

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,781/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,118)
  • Larger job market (7,620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,978)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Romeoville if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Chicago grew 50.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.9% growth in Romeoville over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+50.7%

$52,030 (2019) → $78,398 (2025)

Romeoville, IL

+0.9%

$66,917 (2024) → $67,531 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Chicago or Romeoville?

Chicago has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $80,781/year, compared to Romeoville at $69,584/year — a difference of $11,197 (16.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Romeoville?

Chicago medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38.84/hr while Romeoville hygienists earn $33.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Romeoville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Romeoville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $77,978, Romeoville = $71,662), job availability (7,620 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Chicago vs Romeoville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $48,692 in Chicago and $45,966 in Romeoville. The Chicago 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