Med Lab Scientist Salary

Cincinnati vs Akron: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Akron, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$71,398
$34.33/hr
Akron, OH
$73,288
$35.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHAkron, OH
Median Salary$71,398$73,288
Hourly Rate$34.33$35.24
Entry Level (P10)$44,050$44,017
25th Percentile$54,578$55,616
75th Percentile$89,639$83,489
Top Earner (P90)$107,016$88,864
Total Employed2,920940
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($71,398) and Akron ($73,288) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.CincinnatiAkronMedian Salary$71,398$73,288Entry Level (P10)$44,050$44,017Top Earner (P90)$107,016$88,864US Median $68,734

Verdict

Cincinnati and Akron are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Akron is $1,890 (2.65%). Akron's median is +6.63% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $62,966,Akron spans $44,847. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$44,050
P25$54,578
Median$71,398
P75$89,639
P90 (Top)$107,016
Akron
P10 (Entry)$44,017
P25$55,616
Median$73,288
P75$83,489
P90 (Top)$88,864

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Akron ($78,492 effective) pays 4.85% more than Cincinnati ($74,864 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $71,398
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $74,864
Akron
Nominal: $73,288
CoL Index: 93.37
Adjusted: $78,492

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($107,016)
  • Larger job market (2,920 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Akron if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,288/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,492)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Cincinnati grew 25.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 88.4% growth in Akron over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+25.1%

$55,370 (2019) → $69,292 (2025)

Akron, OH

+88.4%

$37,750 (2019) → $71,126 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Cincinnati or Akron?

Akron has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $73,288/year, compared to Cincinnati at $71,398/year — a difference of $1,890 (2.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Akron?

Cincinnati medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $34.33/hr while Akron hygienists earn $35.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Akron as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Akron. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $74,864, Akron = $78,492), job availability (2,920 vs 940 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Cincinnati vs Akron?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $44,050 in Cincinnati and $44,017 in Akron. The Cincinnati 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