Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Washington: $79,056 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay sits at $79,056/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2010. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $73,609 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Vancouver ($88,558), Bellevue ($83,672), Seattle ($82,860).
In Washington, medical and clinical laboratory technologists can expect to earn an average median salary of $79,055 in 2026, which is 15.0% higher than the national median of $68,734. Within the state, salaries vary significantly by city; Vancouver ranks as the highest-paying location at $91,250, while Tukwila has the lowest average salary at $61,048, reflecting a gap of $30,202. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local economic conditions. Washington's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws create a regulatory environment that ensures quality standards are met while also influencing salary levels. The continued advancement of medical technology and an aging population drive demand for laboratory technologists, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.04% in this field. As of 2026, there are 6,938 medical and clinical laboratory technologists employed across the state. Major cities such as Bellevue ($86,216), Seattle ($85,379), and Tacoma ($83,955) also offer competitive salaries, aligning closely with the state's overall positive employment outlook. Overall, Washington provides favorable earning potential and job stability for professionals in this field.
Washington Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $37,850 (lowest entry-level) to $141,438 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn 15.02% more than the national median (+$10,322/year difference).
Washington Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist salaries in Washington range from $50,954 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $126,436 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,056. The Washington median is $10,322 above the US national median of $68,734. The average hourly rate is $38.00/hr. Approximately 6,938 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,410
2025 BLS Actual
$76,723
2026 Current Est.
$79,056
2019–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,767 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,298 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,385 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,844 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,723 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,056 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,459 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 31.4% from $58,410 (2019) to $76,723 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,459 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,049 (39.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tukwila | $61,048 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $61,143 |
| Covington | $62,002 |
| Kenmore | $62,006 |
| Oak Harbor | $62,409 |
Best Value Cities for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $91,250 | 107.4 | $84,963 |
| Bellevue | $86,216 | 107.4 | $80,276 |
| Tacoma | $83,955 | 107.4 | $78,170 |
| Walla Walla | $76,740 | 98.519 | $77,894 |
| Seattle | $85,379 | 111.133 | $76,826 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,954 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $79,056 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $126,436 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver | $91,250 |
| 2 | Bellevue | $86,216 |
| 3 | Seattle | $85,379 |
| 4 | Tacoma | $83,955 |
| 5 | Walla Walla | $76,740 |
| 6 | Mount Vernon | $69,050 |
| 7 | Renton | $67,771 |
| 8 | Yakima | $67,554 |
| 9 | Everett | $67,115 |
| 10 | Richland | $67,067 |
| 11 | Marysville | $66,612 |
| 12 | Shoreline | $66,246 |
| 13 | Tumwater | $66,057 |
| 14 | Bellingham | $66,047 |
| 15 | Redmond | $65,985 |
| 16 | Kent | $65,930 |
| 17 | Kirkland | $65,823 |
| 18 | Burien | $65,740 |
| 19 | Kennewick | $65,697 |
| 20 | Olympia | $65,457 |
| 21 | Federal Way | $65,450 |
| 22 | Des Moines | $65,437 |
| 23 | Bremerton | $65,413 |
| 24 | Auburn | $65,284 |
| 25 | Lakewood | $65,258 |
| 26 | Issaquah | $65,221 |
| 27 | Spokane Valley | $65,113 |
| 28 | Lacey | $64,920 |
| 29 | Sammamish | $64,793 |
| 30 | University Place | $64,770 |
| 31 | SeaTac | $64,718 |
| 32 | Pasco | $64,442 |
| 33 | Longview | $64,411 |
| 34 | Edmonds | $64,048 |
| 35 | Spokane | $63,884 |
| 36 | Lake Stevens | $63,879 |
| 37 | Lynnwood | $63,837 |
| 38 | Moses Lake | $63,714 |
| 39 | Bothell | $63,668 |
| 40 | Pullman | $63,386 |
| 41 | Puyallup | $63,243 |
| 42 | Ellensburg | $63,005 |
| 43 | Maple Valley | $62,833 |
| 44 | Camas | $62,674 |
| 45 | Wenatchee | $62,623 |
| 46 | Oak Harbor | $62,409 |
| 47 | Kenmore | $62,006 |
| 48 | Covington | $62,002 |
| 49 | Mountlake Terrace | $61,143 |
| 50 | Tukwila | $61,048 |
More Washington Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay in Washington cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Washington?
How does Washington medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Washington?
How many medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed in Washington?
Which Washington city offers the best value for medical and clinical laboratory technologists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical and clinical laboratory technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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