Med Lab Scientist Salary

Kenner vs New Orleans: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Kenner, LA and New Orleans, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kenner, LA
$59,390
$28.55/hr
New Orleans, LA
$60,662
$29.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKenner, LANew Orleans, LA
Median Salary$59,390$60,662
Hourly Rate$28.55$29.16
Entry Level (P10)$38,330$32,657
25th Percentile$45,731$43,067
75th Percentile$76,020$76,980
Top Earner (P90)$92,055$99,763
Total Employed111,030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kenner ($59,390) and New Orleans ($60,662) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.KennerNew OrleansMedian Salary$59,390$60,662Entry Level (P10)$38,330$32,657Top Earner (P90)$92,055$99,763US Median $68,734

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kenner.

The salary gap between Kenner and New Orleans is $1,272 (2.14%). New Orleans's median is -11.74% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kenner spans $53,725,New Orleans spans $67,106. New Orleans has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Kenner
P10 (Entry)$38,330
P25$45,731
Median$59,390
P75$76,020
P90 (Top)$92,055
New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$32,657
P25$43,067
Median$60,662
P75$76,980
P90 (Top)$99,763

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kenner ($65,770 effective) pays 0.39% more than New Orleans ($65,512 effective).

Kenner
Nominal: $59,390
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $65,770
New Orleans
Nominal: $60,662
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $65,512

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kenner if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,770)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,662/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,763)
  • Larger job market (1,030 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Kenner grew 8.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.1% growth in New Orleans over the same period.

Kenner, LA

+8.6%

$53,083 (2024) → $57,638 (2025)

New Orleans, LA

+15.1%

$51,140 (2019) → $58,872 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Kenner or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $60,662/year, compared to Kenner at $59,390/year — a difference of $1,272 (2.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kenner and New Orleans?

Kenner medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $28.55/hr while New Orleans hygienists earn $29.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kenner to New Orleans as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kenner and New Orleans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kenner = $65,770, New Orleans = $65,512), job availability (11 vs 1,030 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Kenner vs New Orleans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38,330 in Kenner and $32,657 in New Orleans. The Kenner 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