Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Bellingham, WA: $66,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Bellingham, WA earns a median $66,047/year (≈ $31.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $63,916 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, the projected median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is calculated to be $66,047 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $68,734, placing Bellingham's compensation approximately 3.91% lower than the national average. The full salary range for this profession in the area extends from $49,030 at the 10th percentile to $113,985 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, this salary profile suggests a stable job market with 160 employed professionals in this field, reflecting a valued contribution to the local healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,405 | $25.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,047 | $31.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,492 | $51.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,985 | $54.80 |
Median Salary Position
3.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,955 (2026 est.). At $66,047, the local median is 3.91% below the national median of $68,734.
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At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $66,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,734 | -3.91% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,047 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,916 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,040
2025 BLS Actual
$64,098
2026 Current Est.
$66,047
2019–2027 Growth
+-2.8%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,098 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,054 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew -8.5% from $70,040 (2019) to $64,098 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,054 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,986 (-2.84%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,030 – $52,405 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,405 – $66,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,047 – $106,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,492 – $113,985 |
MLS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Job Market in Bellingham
The job market for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Bellingham reveals a competitive slice of opportunities within various healthcare settings. While the cost of living index sits at 103.334, slightly above the national average, it can impact take-home purchasing power for professionals in this sector. Employers with the highest pay tend to be large healthcare organizations, which offer more robust benefits, including potential shift differentials and specialty positions that command higher wages. The disparity between the lowest and highest salaries can be attributed to differences in employer size, demand for specific skill sets, and localized healthcare trends. For those looking to maximize their salary in Bellingham, seeking advanced certifications and considering employment in larger health systems may yield the best financial rewards.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $64,098 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Bellingham metropolitan area. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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