SalaryByCity

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs Computer Hardware Engineers: 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 Hardware Engineers

$155,020

Median annual salary

75,710 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $93,130 more per year than Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals — that's 150.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earns $97,990 compared to $223,820 for Computer Hardware Engineers.

Salary Range Comparison

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$38,020 – $97,990
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
$38,020$223,820

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansComputer Hardware EngineersDifference
10th Percentile$38,020$85,430$-47,410
25th Percentile$46,580$115,500$-68,920
Median (50th)$61,890$155,020$-93,130
75th Percentile$80,010$185,380$-105,370
90th Percentile$97,990$223,820$-125,830
Mean (Average)$65,320$156,770$-91,450

Employment Numbers

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

343,040

employed nationwide

Computer Hardware Engineers

75,710

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 Hardware Engineers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$197,090
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$174,070
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$172,920
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$170,570
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$169,230

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Computer Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $93,130 (150.5% 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 Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers salaries range from $85,430 (10th percentile) to $223,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $155,020.
How many Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Computer Hardware Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 343,040 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians positions and 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Hardware Engineers 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 Hardware Engineers earns $155,020. 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