Med Lab Scientist Salary

Houston vs Rockwall: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$67,008
$32.22/hr
Rockwall, TX
$60,984
$29.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXRockwall, TX
Median Salary$67,008$60,984
Hourly Rate$32.22$29.31
Entry Level (P10)$43,045$40,712
25th Percentile$51,302$47,780
75th Percentile$85,106$78,060
Top Earner (P90)$107,584$94,526
Total Employed7,41012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($67,008) and Rockwall ($60,984) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.HoustonRockwallMedian Salary$67,008$60,984Entry Level (P10)$43,045$40,712Top Earner (P90)$107,584$94,526US Median $68,734

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rockwall.

The salary gap between Houston and Rockwall is $6,024 (9.88%). Houston's median is -2.51% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $64,539,Rockwall spans $53,814. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$43,045
P25$51,302
Median$67,008
P75$85,106
P90 (Top)$107,584
Rockwall
P10 (Entry)$40,712
P25$47,780
Median$60,984
P75$78,060
P90 (Top)$94,526

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($67,939 effective) pays 6.95% more than Rockwall ($63,525 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $67,008
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $67,939
Rockwall
Nominal: $60,984
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $63,525

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,008/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,584)
  • Larger job market (7,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,939)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Rockwall if…

  • 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 Houston grew 22.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.7% growth in Rockwall over the same period.

Houston, TX

+22.4%

$53,120 (2019) → $65,031 (2025)

Rockwall, TX

+-5.7%

$62,752 (2024) → $59,185 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Houston or Rockwall?

Houston has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,008/year, compared to Rockwall at $60,984/year — a difference of $6,024 (9.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Rockwall?

Houston medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32.22/hr while Rockwall hygienists earn $29.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Rockwall as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Rockwall. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $67,939, Rockwall = $63,525), job availability (7,410 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Houston vs Rockwall?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,045 in Houston and $40,712 in Rockwall. The Houston 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