Med Lab Scientist Salary

Columbus vs Marietta: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Columbus, GA and Marietta, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, GA
$57,408
$27.60/hr
Marietta, GA
$64,626
$31.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, GAMarietta, GA
Median Salary$57,408$64,626
Hourly Rate$27.60$31.07
Entry Level (P10)$35,977$41,923
25th Percentile$42,663$49,923
75th Percentile$88,077$82,721
Top Earner (P90)$94,259$100,169
Total Employed34015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($57,408) and Marietta ($64,626) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ColumbusMariettaMedian Salary$57,408$64,626Entry Level (P10)$35,977$41,923Top Earner (P90)$94,259$100,169US Median $68,734

Verdict

Marietta, GA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Columbus.

The salary gap between Columbus and Marietta is $7,218 (12.57%). Marietta's median is -5.98% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $58,282,Marietta spans $58,246. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$35,977
P25$42,663
Median$57,408
P75$88,077
P90 (Top)$94,259
Marietta
P10 (Entry)$41,923
P25$49,923
Median$64,626
P75$82,721
P90 (Top)$100,169

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Marietta ($69,416 effective) pays 7.97% more than Columbus ($64,290 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $57,408
CoL Index: 89.296
Adjusted: $64,290
Marietta
Nominal: $64,626
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $69,416

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Marietta if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,626/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,169)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,416)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Columbus grew 43.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.0% growth in Marietta over the same period.

Columbus, GA

+43.1%

$38,930 (2019) → $55,714 (2025)

Marietta, GA

+4.0%

$60,328 (2024) → $62,719 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Columbus or Marietta?

Marietta has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,626/year, compared to Columbus at $57,408/year — a difference of $7,218 (12.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Marietta?

Columbus medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $27.60/hr while Marietta hygienists earn $31.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Marietta as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Marietta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $64,290, Marietta = $69,416), job availability (340 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Columbus vs Marietta?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35,977 in Columbus and $41,923 in Marietta. The Marietta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

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