Med Lab Scientist Salary

Madison vs Wisconsin Rapids: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Madison, WI and Wisconsin Rapids, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$64,539
$31.03/hr
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
$61,799
$29.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIWisconsin Rapids, WI
Median Salary$64,539$61,799
Hourly Rate$31.03$29.71
Entry Level (P10)$51,728$40,932
25th Percentile$53,999$46,597
75th Percentile$84,932$77,006
Top Earner (P90)$90,807$91,918
Total Employed2,7905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($64,539) and Wisconsin Rapids ($61,799) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.MadisonWisconsin RapidsMedian Salary$64,539$61,799Entry Level (P10)$51,728$40,932Top Earner (P90)$90,807$91,918US Median $68,734

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wisconsin Rapids.

The salary gap between Madison and Wisconsin Rapids is $2,740 (4.43%). Madison's median is -6.10% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $39,079,Wisconsin Rapids spans $50,986. Wisconsin Rapids has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$51,728
P25$53,999
Median$64,539
P75$84,932
P90 (Top)$90,807
Wisconsin Rapids
P10 (Entry)$40,932
P25$46,597
Median$61,799
P75$77,006
P90 (Top)$91,918

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($66,339 effective) pays 0.26% more than Wisconsin Rapids ($66,166 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $64,539
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $66,339
Wisconsin Rapids
Nominal: $61,799
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $66,166

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,539/year)
  • Larger job market (2,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,339)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Wisconsin Rapids if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,918)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Madison grew 14.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Wisconsin Rapids over the same period.

Madison, WI

+14.3%

$54,800 (2019) → $62,635 (2025)

Wisconsin Rapids, WI

+3.0%

$58,233 (2024) → $59,976 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Madison or Wisconsin Rapids?

Madison has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $64,539/year, compared to Wisconsin Rapids at $61,799/year — a difference of $2,740 (4.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Wisconsin Rapids?

Madison medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.03/hr while Wisconsin Rapids hygienists earn $29.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Wisconsin Rapids as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Wisconsin Rapids. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $66,339, Wisconsin Rapids = $66,166), job availability (2,790 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Madison vs Wisconsin Rapids?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $51,728 in Madison and $40,932 in Wisconsin Rapids. The Madison area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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