Med Lab Scientist Salary

Seattle vs Mount Vernon: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Seattle, WA
$85,379
$41.04/hr
Mount Vernon, WA
$69,050
$33.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAMount Vernon, WA
Median Salary$85,379$69,050
Hourly Rate$41.04$33.19
Entry Level (P10)$53,716$53,268
25th Percentile$67,193$54,218
75th Percentile$111,341$114,225
Top Earner (P90)$135,065$118,725
Total Employed4,610110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($85,379) and Mount Vernon ($69,050) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.SeattleMount VernonMedian Salary$85,379$69,050Entry Level (P10)$53,716$53,268Top Earner (P90)$135,065$118,725US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Mount Vernon is $16,329 (23.65%). Seattle's median is +24.22% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $81,349,Mount Vernon spans $65,457. Seattle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$53,716
P25$67,193
Median$85,379
P75$111,341
P90 (Top)$135,065
Mount Vernon
P10 (Entry)$53,268
P25$54,218
Median$69,050
P75$114,225
P90 (Top)$118,725

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($76,826 effective) pays 13.98% more than Mount Vernon ($67,403 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $85,379
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $76,826
Mount Vernon
Nominal: $69,050
CoL Index: 102.443
Adjusted: $67,403

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,379/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($135,065)
  • Larger job market (4,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,826)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Vernon if…

  • 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 Seattle grew 37.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.9% growth in Mount Vernon over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+37.7%

$60,190 (2019) → $82,860 (2025)

Mount Vernon, WA

+30.9%

$51,180 (2020) → $67,013 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Seattle or Mount Vernon?

Seattle has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $85,379/year, compared to Mount Vernon at $69,050/year — a difference of $16,329 (23.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Mount Vernon?

Seattle medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41.04/hr while Mount Vernon hygienists earn $33.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Mount Vernon as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Mount Vernon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $76,826, Mount Vernon = $67,403), job availability (4,610 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Seattle vs Mount Vernon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $53,716 in Seattle and $53,268 in Mount Vernon. The Seattle 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