SalaryByCity

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs Fast Food and Counter Workers: 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

Fast Food and Counter Workers

$30,480

Median annual salary

3,780,930 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals earn $31,410 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 103.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians earns $97,990 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.

Salary Range Comparison

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$38,020 – $97,990
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$97,990

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileClinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansFast Food and Counter WorkersDifference
10th Percentile$38,020$22,620+$15,400
25th Percentile$46,580$27,150+$19,430
Median (50th)$61,890$30,480+$31,410
75th Percentile$80,010$35,440+$44,570
90th Percentile$97,990$38,800+$59,190
Mean (Average)$65,320$31,350+$33,970

Employment Numbers

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians

343,040

employed nationwide

Fast Food and Counter Workers

3,780,930

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 Fast Food and Counter Workers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$42,660
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$40,470
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$38,310
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$37,650
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$36,480

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,410 (103.1% 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
How many Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 343,040 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians positions and 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Fast Food and Counter Workers 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $30,480. 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