SalaryByCity

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs Registered Nurses: 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

Registered Nurses

$93,600

Median annual salary

3,282,010 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Registered Nurses professionals earn $31,710 more per year than Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals — that's 51.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earns $97,990 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.

Salary Range Comparison

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$38,020 – $97,990
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$38,020$135,320

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansRegistered NursesDifference
10th Percentile$38,020$66,030$-28,010
25th Percentile$46,580$78,610$-32,030
Median (50th)$61,890$93,600$-31,710
75th Percentile$80,010$107,960$-27,950
90th Percentile$97,990$135,320$-37,330
Mean (Average)$65,320$98,430$-33,110

Employment Numbers

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

343,040

employed nationwide

Registered Nurses

3,282,010

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 Registered Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$208,940
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$188,020
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$169,210
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$133,440
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$133,090

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,710 (51.2% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 343,040 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses 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 Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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