Med Lab Scientist Salary

Dickinson vs Fargo: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Dickinson, ND and Fargo, ND. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dickinson, ND
$65,541
$31.51/hr
Fargo, ND
$68,089
$32.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDickinson, NDFargo, ND
Median Salary$65,541$68,089
Hourly Rate$31.51$32.74
Entry Level (P10)$40,122$41,723
25th Percentile$48,717$52,711
75th Percentile$81,665$83,522
Top Earner (P90)$101,588$91,659
Total Employed4570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dickinson ($65,541) and Fargo ($68,089) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.DickinsonFargoMedian Salary$65,541$68,089Entry Level (P10)$40,122$41,723Top Earner (P90)$101,588$91,659US Median $68,734

Verdict

Fargo, ND offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Dickinson.

The salary gap between Dickinson and Fargo is $2,548 (3.89%). Fargo's median is -0.94% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dickinson spans $61,466,Fargo spans $49,936. Dickinson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dickinson
P10 (Entry)$40,122
P25$48,717
Median$65,541
P75$81,665
P90 (Top)$101,588
Fargo
P10 (Entry)$41,723
P25$52,711
Median$68,089
P75$83,522
P90 (Top)$91,659

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fargo ($74,929 effective) pays 5.18% more than Dickinson ($71,240 effective).

Dickinson
Nominal: $65,541
CoL Index: 92
Adjusted: $71,240
Fargo
Nominal: $68,089
CoL Index: 90.871
Adjusted: $74,929

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dickinson if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($101,588)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Fargo if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,089/year)
  • Larger job market (570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,929)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Dickinson grew 7.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.7% growth in Fargo over the same period.

Dickinson, ND

+7.1%

$59,372 (2024) → $63,607 (2025)

Fargo, ND

+41.7%

$46,620 (2019) → $66,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Dickinson or Fargo?

Fargo has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $68,089/year, compared to Dickinson at $65,541/year — a difference of $2,548 (3.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dickinson and Fargo?

Dickinson medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.51/hr while Fargo hygienists earn $32.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dickinson to Fargo as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dickinson and Fargo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dickinson = $71,240, Fargo = $74,929), job availability (4 vs 570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Dickinson vs Fargo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,122 in Dickinson and $41,723 in Fargo. The Fargo 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