Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Sacramento, CA
$90,818
$43.67/hr
Vallejo, CA
$94,204
$45.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAVallejo, CA
Median Salary$90,818$94,204
Hourly Rate$43.67$45.29
Entry Level (P10)$53,858$66,068
25th Percentile$68,155$89,464
75th Percentile$101,380$94,499
Top Earner (P90)$139,106$106,044
Total Employed2,020220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($90,818) and Vallejo ($94,204) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.SacramentoVallejoMedian Salary$90,818$94,204Entry Level (P10)$53,858$66,068Top Earner (P90)$139,106$106,044US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Sacramento and Vallejo is $3,386 (3.73%). 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 Sacramento spans $85,248,Vallejo spans $39,976. Sacramento has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$53,858
P25$68,155
Median$90,818
P75$101,380
P90 (Top)$139,106
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 2.00% more than Sacramento ($85,139 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $90,818
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $85,139
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 Sacramento if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($139,106)
  • Larger job market (2,020 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 Sacramento grew 35.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 45.0% growth in Vallejo over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+35.0%

$65,300 (2019) → $88,139 (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: Sacramento or Vallejo?

Vallejo has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $94,204/year, compared to Sacramento at $90,818/year — a difference of $3,386 (3.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Vallejo?

Sacramento medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $43.67/hr while Vallejo hygienists earn $45.29/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Vallejo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $85,139, Vallejo = $86,841), job availability (2,020 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $53,858 in Sacramento 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