Med Lab Scientist Salary

Middletown vs Trenton: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Middletown, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Middletown, NJ
$82,631
$39.72/hr
Trenton, NJ
$79,699
$38.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiddletown, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$82,631$79,699
Hourly Rate$39.72$38.31
Entry Level (P10)$53,963$51,553
25th Percentile$64,102$65,282
75th Percentile$104,938$95,067
Top Earner (P90)$128,078$107,213
Total Employed15380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Middletown ($82,631) and Trenton ($79,699) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.MiddletownTrentonMedian Salary$82,631$79,699Entry Level (P10)$53,963$51,553Top Earner (P90)$128,078$107,213US Median $68,734

Verdict

Middletown, NJ offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Middletown and Trenton is $2,932 (3.68%). Middletown's median is +20.22% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Middletown spans $74,115,Trenton spans $55,660. Middletown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Middletown
P10 (Entry)$53,963
P25$64,102
Median$82,631
P75$104,938
P90 (Top)$128,078
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$51,553
P25$65,282
Median$79,699
P75$95,067
P90 (Top)$107,213

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($77,243 effective) pays 7.69% more than Middletown ($71,728 effective).

Middletown
Nominal: $82,631
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $71,728
Trenton
Nominal: $79,699
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $77,243

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Middletown if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,631/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,078)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,243)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Middletown grew -11.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.3% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Middletown, NJ

+-11.6%

$90,731 (2024) → $80,193 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+23.3%

$62,730 (2019) → $77,348 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Middletown or Trenton?

Middletown has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $82,631/year, compared to Trenton at $79,699/year — a difference of $2,932 (3.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Middletown and Trenton?

Middletown medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $39.72/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $38.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Middletown to Trenton as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Middletown and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Middletown = $71,728, Trenton = $77,243), job availability (15 vs 380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Middletown vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $53,963 in Middletown and $51,553 in Trenton. The Middletown 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