Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$73,649
$35.41/hr
Vallejo, CA
$94,204
$45.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAVallejo, CA
Median Salary$73,649$94,204
Hourly Rate$35.41$45.29
Entry Level (P10)$51,105$66,068
25th Percentile$55,081$89,464
75th Percentile$91,376$94,499
Top Earner (P90)$133,841$106,044
Total Employed10,150220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($73,649) and Vallejo ($94,204) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Los AngelesVallejoMedian Salary$73,649$94,204Entry Level (P10)$51,105$66,068Top Earner (P90)$133,841$106,044US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Vallejo is $20,555 (27.91%). Vallejo's median is +37.06% 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,Vallejo spans $39,976. 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
Vallejo
P10 (Entry)$66,068
P25$89,464
Median$94,204
P75$94,499
P90 (Top)$106,044

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vallejo ($86,841 effective) pays 33.91% more than Los Angeles ($64,851 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $73,649
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $64,851
Vallejo
Nominal: $94,204
CoL Index: 108.479
Adjusted: $86,841

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 Vallejo if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,204/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,841)
  • 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 45.0% growth in Vallejo over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+28.4%

$55,680 (2019) → $71,476 (2025)

Vallejo, CA

+45.0%

$63,060 (2019) → $91,425 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Vallejo has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $94,204/year, compared to Los Angeles at $73,649/year — a difference of $20,555 (27.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Vallejo?

Los Angeles medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $35.41/hr while Vallejo hygienists earn $45.29/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Vallejo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $64,851, Vallejo = $86,841), job availability (10,150 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $51,105 in Los Angeles and $66,068 in Vallejo. The Vallejo 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