Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Richland, WA
$67,067
$32.24/hr
Spokane, WA
$63,884
$30.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichland, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$67,067$63,884
Hourly Rate$32.24$30.72
Entry Level (P10)$41,266$42,968
25th Percentile$50,129$50,199
75th Percentile$85,846$89,738
Top Earner (P90)$103,953$106,787
Total Employed15820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richland ($67,067) and Spokane ($63,884) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.RichlandSpokaneMedian Salary$67,067$63,884Entry Level (P10)$41,266$42,968Top Earner (P90)$103,953$106,787US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Richland and Spokane is $3,183 (4.98%). Richland's median is -2.43% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richland spans $62,687,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.

Richland
P10 (Entry)$41,266
P25$50,129
Median$67,067
P75$85,846
P90 (Top)$103,953
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 1.95% more than Richland ($62,446 effective).

Richland
Nominal: $67,067
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $62,446
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 Richland if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,067/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 Richland grew -31.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.4% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Richland, WA

+-31.9%

$95,517 (2024) → $65,088 (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: Richland or Spokane?

Richland has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $67,067/year, compared to Spokane at $63,884/year — a difference of $3,183 (4.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richland and Spokane?

Richland medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $32.24/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $30.72/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richland and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richland = $62,446, Spokane = $63,664), job availability (15 vs 820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41,266 in Richland and $42,968 in Spokane. The Spokane 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