Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Seattle, WA
$85,379
$41.04/hr
Spokane Valley, WA
$65,113
$31.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WASpokane Valley, WA
Median Salary$85,379$65,113
Hourly Rate$41.04$31.30
Entry Level (P10)$53,716$39,115
25th Percentile$67,193$48,065
75th Percentile$111,341$83,345
Top Earner (P90)$135,065$100,926
Total Employed4,61021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($85,379) and Spokane Valley ($65,113) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.SeattleSpokane ValleyMedian Salary$85,379$65,113Entry Level (P10)$53,716$39,115Top Earner (P90)$135,065$100,926US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Spokane Valley is $20,266 (31.12%). 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,Spokane Valley spans $61,811. 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
Spokane Valley
P10 (Entry)$39,115
P25$48,065
Median$65,113
P75$83,345
P90 (Top)$100,926

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($76,826 effective) pays 26.72% more than Spokane Valley ($60,627 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $85,379
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $76,826
Spokane Valley
Nominal: $65,113
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $60,627

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 Spokane Valley 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 -35.1% growth in Spokane Valley over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+37.7%

$60,190 (2019) → $82,860 (2025)

Spokane Valley, WA

+-35.1%

$97,294 (2024) → $63,192 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Seattle has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $85,379/year, compared to Spokane Valley at $65,113/year — a difference of $20,266 (31.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Spokane Valley?

Seattle medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41.04/hr while Spokane Valley hygienists earn $31.30/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Spokane Valley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $76,826, Spokane Valley = $60,627), job availability (4,610 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $53,716 in Seattle and $39,115 in Spokane Valley. 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