Med Lab Scientist Salary

Falls Church vs Roanoke: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Falls Church, VA and Roanoke, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Falls Church, VA
$60,119
$28.90/hr
Roanoke, VA
$53,388
$25.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFalls Church, VARoanoke, VA
Median Salary$60,119$53,388
Hourly Rate$28.90$25.67
Entry Level (P10)$40,383$40,500
25th Percentile$47,098$41,854
75th Percentile$75,298$74,632
Top Earner (P90)$90,043$87,596
Total Employed5410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Falls Church ($60,119) and Roanoke ($53,388) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Falls ChurchRoanokeMedian Salary$60,119$53,388Entry Level (P10)$40,383$40,500Top Earner (P90)$90,043$87,596US Median $68,734

Verdict

Falls Church, VA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roanoke.

The salary gap between Falls Church and Roanoke is $6,731 (12.61%). Falls Church's median is -12.53% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Falls Church spans $49,660,Roanoke spans $47,096. Falls Church has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Falls Church
P10 (Entry)$40,383
P25$47,098
Median$60,119
P75$75,298
P90 (Top)$90,043
Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$40,500
P25$41,854
Median$53,388
P75$74,632
P90 (Top)$87,596

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Falls Church ($58,255 effective) pays 2.15% more than Roanoke ($57,027 effective).

Falls Church
Nominal: $60,119
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $58,255
Roanoke
Nominal: $53,388
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $57,027

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Falls Church if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,119/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,043)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,255)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Falls Church grew -12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in Roanoke over the same period.

Falls Church, VA

+-12.4%

$66,610 (2024) → $58,345 (2025)

Roanoke, VA

+34.8%

$38,440 (2019) → $51,813 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Falls Church or Roanoke?

Falls Church has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $60,119/year, compared to Roanoke at $53,388/year — a difference of $6,731 (12.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Falls Church and Roanoke?

Falls Church medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $28.90/hr while Roanoke hygienists earn $25.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Falls Church to Roanoke as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Falls Church and Roanoke. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Falls Church = $58,255, Roanoke = $57,027), job availability (5 vs 410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Falls Church vs Roanoke?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $40,383 in Falls Church and $40,500 in Roanoke. The Roanoke 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