Med Lab Scientist Salary

Dallas vs Port Arthur: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Dallas, TX and Port Arthur, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$64,747
$31.13/hr
Port Arthur, TX
$68,577
$32.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXPort Arthur, TX
Median Salary$64,747$68,577
Hourly Rate$31.13$32.97
Entry Level (P10)$42,324$42,424
25th Percentile$44,475$51,429
75th Percentile$89,660$87,779
Top Earner (P90)$106,110$106,295
Total Employed9,42012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($64,747) and Port Arthur ($68,577) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.DallasPort ArthurMedian Salary$64,747$68,577Entry Level (P10)$42,324$42,424Top Earner (P90)$106,110$106,295US Median $68,734

Verdict

Port Arthur, TX offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Dallas.

The salary gap between Dallas and Port Arthur is $3,830 (5.92%). Port Arthur's median is -0.23% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $63,786,Port Arthur spans $63,871. Port Arthur has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$42,324
P25$44,475
Median$64,747
P75$89,660
P90 (Top)$106,110
Port Arthur
P10 (Entry)$42,424
P25$51,429
Median$68,577
P75$87,779
P90 (Top)$106,295

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Port Arthur ($71,434 effective) pays 13.74% more than Dallas ($62,806 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $64,747
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $62,806
Port Arthur
Nominal: $68,577
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $71,434

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Larger job market (9,420 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Port Arthur if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,577/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,295)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,434)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Dallas grew 11.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.7% growth in Port Arthur over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+11.7%

$56,280 (2019) → $62,837 (2025)

Port Arthur, TX

+0.7%

$66,108 (2024) → $66,554 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Dallas or Port Arthur?

Port Arthur has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $68,577/year, compared to Dallas at $64,747/year — a difference of $3,830 (5.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Port Arthur?

Dallas medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.13/hr while Port Arthur hygienists earn $32.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Port Arthur as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Port Arthur. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $62,806, Port Arthur = $71,434), job availability (9,420 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Dallas vs Port Arthur?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,324 in Dallas and $42,424 in Port Arthur. The Port Arthur 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