Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Bellingham, WA: $31.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Bellingham, WA runs $31.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,047 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Bellingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,620 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bellingham, WA, medical and clinical laboratory technologists can expect a median hourly pay of $31.75, which is slightly lower than the national median of $33.05. For part-time professionals or those working per diem, this translates into a competitive wage reflective of the local healthcare market. With an hourly range from $23.57 for entry-level positions to $54.80 for top earners, the profession demonstrates a significant variance in pay, indicating opportunities for growth and specialization. This data is sourced from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and speaks to the evolving demands of the job as healthcare continues to advance in complexity and technicality.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.57 | $188.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.19 | $201.55 |
| Median (P50) | $31.75 | $253.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.20 | $409.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.80 | $438.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellingham
Based on $31.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.75/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellingham, WA can expect to earn approximately $66,033 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,096. With a cost-of-living index of 103.33 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,269.86 | $5,503 | $66,033 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.92 | $3,302 | $39,620 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.95 | $2,201 | $26,413 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Bellingham) | $31.75 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Cytotechnologist (National Avg) | $40.35 |
| Histotechnologist (National Avg) | $30.58 |
| Microbiologist (National Avg) | $41.56 |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $66,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.91% lower than the national median of $68,734.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.75/hr = $39,620/year (purchasing power: $38,341).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,033/year (purchasing power: $63,902).
CoL index: 103.334 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-2.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Bellingham grew -8.5% from $33.67/hr (2019) to $30.81/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.71/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical and clinical laboratory technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.04% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist in Bellingham
When examining the earning potential for a part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist working three days a week, typically totaling around 24 hours, the annual income can still provide a substantive contribution to living expenses in Bellingham. Per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in this region often attracts a premium of 10-25% over traditional staff compensation, making this a viable option for many who prefer flexible work arrangements. Compensation can fluctuate significantly based on the employer type—private practices may offer lower rates than large healthcare organizations or specialty clinics that tend to pay more. It's essential for professionals to weigh benefits carefully; while some may accept lower hourly rates for health insurance benefits, others might choose higher pay without those perks. To maximize their hourly income, technologists should actively negotiate salaries based on their experience and the typical pay scales in Bellingham's healthcare sector.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Bellingham in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Bellingham?
Are medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Bellingham paid hourly or salary?
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Do medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Bellingham?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Bellingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.04%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical and clinical laboratory technologists (SOC 29-2010).
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