Med Lab Scientist Salary

Olympia vs Spokane: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Olympia, WA
$65,457
$31.47/hr
Spokane, WA
$63,884
$30.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOlympia, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$65,457$63,884
Hourly Rate$31.47$30.72
Entry Level (P10)$48,920$42,968
25th Percentile$53,704$50,199
75th Percentile$84,495$89,738
Top Earner (P90)$103,816$106,787
Total Employed180820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Olympia ($65,457) and Spokane ($63,884) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.OlympiaSpokaneMedian Salary$65,457$63,884Entry Level (P10)$48,920$42,968Top Earner (P90)$103,816$106,787US Median $68,734

Verdict

Olympia and Spokane are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Olympia and Spokane is $1,573 (2.46%). Olympia's median is -4.77% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Olympia spans $54,896,Spokane spans $63,819. Spokane has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Olympia
P10 (Entry)$48,920
P25$53,704
Median$65,457
P75$84,495
P90 (Top)$103,816
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$42,968
P25$50,199
Median$63,884
P75$89,738
P90 (Top)$106,787

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($63,664 effective) pays 0.83% more than Olympia ($63,140 effective).

Olympia
Nominal: $65,457
CoL Index: 103.67
Adjusted: $63,140
Spokane
Nominal: $63,884
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $63,664

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Olympia if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,457/year)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,787)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,664)
  • 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 Olympia grew 24.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Olympia, WA

+24.5%

$51,010 (2019) → $63,526 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+22.4%

$50,640 (2019) → $61,999 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Olympia or Spokane?

Olympia has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $65,457/year, compared to Spokane at $63,884/year — a difference of $1,573 (2.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Olympia and Spokane?

Olympia medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $31.47/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $30.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Olympia to Spokane as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Olympia and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Olympia = $63,140, Spokane = $63,664), job availability (180 vs 820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Olympia vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $48,920 in Olympia and $42,968 in Spokane. The Olympia 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