Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Seattle, WA
$85,379
$41.04/hr
Walla Walla, WA
$76,740
$36.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAWalla Walla, WA
Median Salary$85,379$76,740
Hourly Rate$41.04$36.90
Entry Level (P10)$53,716$52,569
25th Percentile$67,193$60,018
75th Percentile$111,341$100,824
Top Earner (P90)$135,065$124,120
Total Employed4,61050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($85,379) and Walla Walla ($76,740) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.SeattleWalla WallaMedian Salary$85,379$76,740Entry Level (P10)$53,716$52,569Top Earner (P90)$135,065$124,120US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Walla Walla is $8,639 (11.26%). 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,Walla Walla spans $71,551. 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
Walla Walla
P10 (Entry)$52,569
P25$60,018
Median$76,740
P75$100,824
P90 (Top)$124,120

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Walla Walla ($77,894 effective) pays 1.39% more than Seattle ($76,826 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $85,379
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $76,826
Walla Walla
Nominal: $76,740
CoL Index: 98.519
Adjusted: $77,894

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)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Walla Walla if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,894)
  • 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 11.4% growth in Walla Walla over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+37.7%

$60,190 (2019) → $82,860 (2025)

Walla Walla, WA

+11.4%

$66,830 (2019) → $74,476 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Seattle has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $85,379/year, compared to Walla Walla at $76,740/year — a difference of $8,639 (11.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Walla Walla?

Seattle medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $41.04/hr while Walla Walla hygienists earn $36.90/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Walla Walla. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $76,826, Walla Walla = $77,894), job availability (4,610 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $53,716 in Seattle and $52,569 in Walla Walla. The Seattle area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

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