Med Lab Scientist Salary

Duluth vs Minneapolis: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Duluth, MN and Minneapolis, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$70,252
$33.78/hr
Minneapolis, MN
$71,224
$34.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNMinneapolis, MN
Median Salary$70,252$71,224
Hourly Rate$33.78$34.24
Entry Level (P10)$54,568$54,054
25th Percentile$63,164$63,164
75th Percentile$82,638$88,306
Top Earner (P90)$91,507$108,119
Total Employed2803,000
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($70,252) and Minneapolis ($71,224) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.DuluthMinneapolisMedian Salary$70,252$71,224Entry Level (P10)$54,568$54,054Top Earner (P90)$91,507$108,119US Median $68,734

Verdict

Minneapolis, MN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Minneapolis is $972 (1.38%). Minneapolis's median is +3.62% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $36,939,Minneapolis spans $54,065. Minneapolis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$54,568
P25$63,164
Median$70,252
P75$82,638
P90 (Top)$91,507
Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$54,054
P25$63,164
Median$71,224
P75$88,306
P90 (Top)$108,119

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($79,141 effective) pays 16.47% more than Minneapolis ($67,948 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $70,252
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $79,141
Minneapolis
Nominal: $71,224
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $67,948

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,141)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,224/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,119)
  • Larger job market (3,000 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Duluth grew 24.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.2% growth in Minneapolis over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+24.8%

$54,620 (2019) → $68,179 (2025)

Minneapolis, MN

+28.2%

$53,900 (2019) → $69,123 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Duluth or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $71,224/year, compared to Duluth at $70,252/year — a difference of $972 (1.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Minneapolis?

Duluth medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $33.78/hr while Minneapolis hygienists earn $34.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Minneapolis as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Minneapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $79,141, Minneapolis = $67,948), job availability (280 vs 3,000 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Duluth vs Minneapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $54,568 in Duluth and $54,054 in Minneapolis. The Duluth 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