Med Lab Scientist Salary

Jackson vs Memphis: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Jackson, TN and Memphis, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jackson, TN
$68,176
$32.78/hr
Memphis, TN
$69,902
$33.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJackson, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$68,176$69,902
Hourly Rate$32.78$33.61
Entry Level (P10)$42,029$42,891
25th Percentile$48,998$53,792
75th Percentile$88,219$92,118
Top Earner (P90)$88,219$107,705
Total Employed2101,830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jackson ($68,176) and Memphis ($69,902) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.JacksonMemphisMedian Salary$68,176$69,902Entry Level (P10)$42,029$42,891Top Earner (P90)$88,219$107,705US Median $68,734

Verdict

Memphis, TN offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jackson.

The salary gap between Jackson and Memphis is $1,726 (2.53%). Memphis's median is +1.70% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jackson spans $46,190,Memphis spans $64,814. Memphis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Jackson
P10 (Entry)$42,029
P25$48,998
Median$68,176
P75$88,219
P90 (Top)$88,219
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$42,891
P25$53,792
Median$69,902
P75$92,118
P90 (Top)$107,705

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jackson ($79,717 effective) pays 5.12% more than Memphis ($75,833 effective).

Jackson
Nominal: $68,176
CoL Index: 85.522
Adjusted: $79,717
Memphis
Nominal: $69,902
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $75,833

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jackson if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,717)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,902/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,705)
  • Larger job market (1,830 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Jackson grew 68.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.3% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Jackson, TN

+68.5%

$39,270 (2019) → $66,165 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+17.3%

$57,840 (2019) → $67,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Jackson or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $69,902/year, compared to Jackson at $68,176/year — a difference of $1,726 (2.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jackson and Memphis?

Jackson medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32.78/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $33.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jackson to Memphis as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jackson and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jackson = $79,717, Memphis = $75,833), job availability (210 vs 1,830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Jackson vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $42,029 in Jackson and $42,891 in Memphis. The Memphis 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