Med Lab Scientist Salary

Covington vs Kennewick: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Covington, WA and Kennewick, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Covington, WA
$62,002
$29.81/hr
Kennewick, WA
$65,697
$31.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCovington, WAKennewick, WA
Median Salary$62,002$65,697
Hourly Rate$29.81$31.59
Entry Level (P10)$38,246$46,398
25th Percentile$48,536$52,481
75th Percentile$79,031$89,847
Top Earner (P90)$94,784$107,126
Total Employed5250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Covington ($62,002) and Kennewick ($65,697) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.CovingtonKennewickMedian Salary$62,002$65,697Entry Level (P10)$38,246$46,398Top Earner (P90)$94,784$107,126US Median $68,734

Verdict

Kennewick, WA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Covington.

The salary gap between Covington and Kennewick is $3,695 (5.96%). Kennewick's median is -4.42% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Covington spans $56,538,Kennewick spans $60,728. Kennewick has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Covington
P10 (Entry)$38,246
P25$48,536
Median$62,002
P75$79,031
P90 (Top)$94,784
Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$46,398
P25$52,481
Median$65,697
P75$89,847
P90 (Top)$107,126

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($65,645 effective) pays 13.71% more than Covington ($57,730 effective).

Covington
Nominal: $62,002
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $57,730
Kennewick
Nominal: $65,697
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $65,645

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Covington if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,697/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,126)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,645)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Covington grew -32.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Kennewick over the same period.

Covington, WA

+-32.2%

$88,724 (2024) → $60,173 (2025)

Kennewick, WA

+33.2%

$47,850 (2019) → $63,759 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Covington or Kennewick?

Kennewick has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $65,697/year, compared to Covington at $62,002/year — a difference of $3,695 (5.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Covington and Kennewick?

Covington medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $29.81/hr while Kennewick hygienists earn $31.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Covington to Kennewick as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Covington and Kennewick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Covington = $57,730, Kennewick = $65,645), job availability (5 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Covington vs Kennewick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38,246 in Covington and $46,398 in Kennewick. The Kennewick area offers higher starting salaries.

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Written by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP)

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory science. She specializes in molecular diagnostics. She works at a large metropolitan hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Jerome Patel, BS, MT(ASCP)Data verified by Fatima Hussain, MS, CLS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.04% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP), a licensed medical and clinical laboratory technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov