SalaryByCity

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs Medical Assistants: 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

Medical Assistants

$44,200

Median annual salary

793,460 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals earn $17,690 more per year than Medical Assistants professionals — that's 40.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earns $97,990 compared to $57,830 for Medical Assistants.

Salary Range Comparison

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$38,020 – $97,990
Medical Assistants$35,020 – $57,830
$35,020$97,990

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansMedical AssistantsDifference
10th Percentile$38,020$35,020+$3,000
25th Percentile$46,580$37,610+$8,970
Median (50th)$61,890$44,200+$17,690
75th Percentile$80,010$48,160+$31,850
90th Percentile$97,990$57,830+$40,160
Mean (Average)$65,320$44,720+$20,600

Employment Numbers

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

343,040

employed nationwide

Medical Assistants

793,460

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 Medical Assistants

CityMedian
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$62,570
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$62,290
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$59,910
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$58,850
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$52,040

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Medical Assistants?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,690 (40.0% 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 Medical Assistants?
Medical Assistants salaries range from $35,020 (10th percentile) to $57,830 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,200.
How many Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Medical Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 343,040 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians positions and 793,460 Medical Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical Assistants 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 Medical Assistants earns $44,200. 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