SalaryByCity

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs Computer Programmers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

$61,890

Median annual salary

343,040 employed nationally

Computer Programmers

$98,670

Median annual salary

109,870 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer Programmers professionals earn $36,780 more per year than Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals — that's 59.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earns $97,990 compared to $162,090 for Computer Programmers.

Salary Range Comparison

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$38,020 – $97,990
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
$38,020$162,090

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansComputer ProgrammersDifference
10th Percentile$38,020$52,190$-14,170
25th Percentile$46,580$71,860$-25,280
Median (50th)$61,890$98,670$-36,780
75th Percentile$80,010$128,960$-48,950
90th Percentile$97,990$162,090$-64,100
Mean (Average)$65,320$103,640$-38,320

Employment Numbers

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

343,040

employed nationwide

Computer Programmers

109,870

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$81,900
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$81,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$80,580
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$80,160
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA$78,850

Best Cities for Computer Programmers

CityMedian
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$167,970
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$159,250
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$133,560
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$122,580
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$122,000

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,780 (59.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salaries range from $38,020 (10th percentile) to $97,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,890.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
How many Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Computer Programmers jobs are there?
There are approximately 343,040 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians positions and 109,870 Computer Programmers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Programmers to Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians has a median salary of $61,890 while Computer Programmers earns $98,670. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS