Med Lab Scientist Salary

Los Angeles vs Union City: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Union City, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$73,649
$35.41/hr
Union City, CA
$77,869
$37.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAUnion City, CA
Median Salary$73,649$77,869
Hourly Rate$35.41$37.43
Entry Level (P10)$51,105$46,856
25th Percentile$55,081$60,378
75th Percentile$91,376$98,861
Top Earner (P90)$133,841$120,698
Total Employed10,15011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($73,649) and Union City ($77,869) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Los AngelesUnion CityMedian Salary$73,649$77,869Entry Level (P10)$51,105$46,856Top Earner (P90)$133,841$120,698US Median $68,734

Verdict

Los Angeles and Union City are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Union City is $4,220 (5.73%). Union City's median is +13.29% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $82,736,Union City spans $73,842. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$51,105
P25$55,081
Median$73,649
P75$91,376
P90 (Top)$133,841
Union City
P10 (Entry)$46,856
P25$60,378
Median$77,869
P75$98,861
P90 (Top)$120,698

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Union City ($68,850 effective) pays 6.17% more than Los Angeles ($64,851 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $73,649
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $64,851
Union City
Nominal: $77,869
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $68,850

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($133,841)
  • Larger job market (10,150 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Union City if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,869/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,850)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Los Angeles grew 28.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -33.3% growth in Union City over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+28.4%

$55,680 (2019) → $71,476 (2025)

Union City, CA

+-33.3%

$113,353 (2024) → $75,572 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Los Angeles or Union City?

Union City has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $77,869/year, compared to Los Angeles at $73,649/year — a difference of $4,220 (5.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Union City?

Los Angeles medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35.41/hr while Union City hygienists earn $37.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Union City as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Union City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $64,851, Union City = $68,850), job availability (10,150 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Los Angeles vs Union City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $51,105 in Los Angeles and $46,856 in Union City. The Los Angeles 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