Med Lab Scientist Salary

Las Vegas vs Reno: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Las Vegas, NV and Reno, NV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Las Vegas, NV
$66,232
$31.84/hr
Reno, NV
$54,535
$26.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLas Vegas, NVReno, NV
Median Salary$66,232$54,535
Hourly Rate$31.84$26.22
Entry Level (P10)$43,525$49,576
25th Percentile$52,154$51,542
75th Percentile$92,217$66,866
Top Earner (P90)$113,471$122,613
Total Employed1,390470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Las Vegas ($66,232) and Reno ($54,535) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Las VegasRenoMedian Salary$66,232$54,535Entry Level (P10)$43,525$49,576Top Earner (P90)$113,471$122,613US Median $68,734

Verdict

Las Vegas, NV offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Reno.

The salary gap between Las Vegas and Reno is $11,697 (21.45%). Las Vegas's median is -3.64% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Las Vegas spans $69,946,Reno spans $73,037. Reno has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Las Vegas
P10 (Entry)$43,525
P25$52,154
Median$66,232
P75$92,217
P90 (Top)$113,471
Reno
P10 (Entry)$49,576
P25$51,542
Median$54,535
P75$66,866
P90 (Top)$122,613

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Las Vegas ($66,090 effective) pays 22.42% more than Reno ($53,988 effective).

Las Vegas
Nominal: $66,232
CoL Index: 100.215
Adjusted: $66,090
Reno
Nominal: $54,535
CoL Index: 101.014
Adjusted: $53,988

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Las Vegas if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,232/year)
  • Larger job market (1,390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,090)
  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Choose Reno if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($122,613)
  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Las Vegas grew 3.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.6% growth in Reno over the same period.

Las Vegas, NV

+3.2%

$62,310 (2019) → $64,278 (2025)

Reno, NV

+10.6%

$47,870 (2019) → $52,926 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Las Vegas or Reno?

Las Vegas has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $66,232/year, compared to Reno at $54,535/year — a difference of $11,697 (21.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Las Vegas and Reno?

Las Vegas medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.84/hr while Reno hygienists earn $26.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Las Vegas to Reno as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Las Vegas and Reno. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Las Vegas = $66,090, Reno = $53,988), job availability (1,390 vs 470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Las Vegas vs Reno?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43,525 in Las Vegas and $49,576 in Reno. The Reno 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