Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Olympia, WA: $65,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Olympia, WA earns a median $65,457/year (≈ $31.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Olympia's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.7), that paycheck buys what $63,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Olympia, Washington, the projected 2026 annual median salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is $65,457, reflecting a cost-of-living adjusted purchasing power that is slightly lower than the national median of $68,734. Professionals in this field can expect a salary range from $48,920 at the 10th percentile to $103,816 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant earnings potential based on experience and settings. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The local market's current dynamics suggest that aspiring technologists can find employment with competitive pay, particularly as the job market for this occupation is poised for growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,920 | $23.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,704 | $25.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,457 | $31.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,495 | $40.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,816 | $49.91 |
Median Salary Position
4.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Olympia
In Olympia, WA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,896 (2026 est.). At $65,457, the local median is 4.77% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Olympia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Olympia Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Olympia median: $65,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Olympia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $66,052 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -4.77% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Olympia, WA earn a median of $65,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.77% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $66,052.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Olympia has a cost of living 3.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Olympia, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,457 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,140 — a 3.54% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,010
2025 BLS Actual
$63,526
2026 Current Est.
$65,457
2019–2027 Growth
+32.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,526 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,447 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Olympia metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 24.5% from $51,010 (2019) to $63,526 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,437 (32.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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) | $48,920 – $53,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,704 – $65,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,457 – $84,495 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,495 – $103,816 |
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 Olympia
The Olympia area employs approximately 180 medical and clinical laboratory technologists, a testament to the steady demand for skilled professionals in healthcare. However, with a cost-of-living index of 103.67, living expenses are relatively high, impacting take-home salaries. Facilities such as large healthcare organizations, hospitals, and specialty clinics typically offer the highest wages, influenced by factors such as employer size and benefits packages. The disparity between the highest and lowest salaries in the region can also be attributed to shift differentials and the necessity for advanced specialty credentials. To maximize their earning potential, technologists should consider targeted certifications and seek employment in larger institutions that value experience and offer more comprehensive compensation packages.
More salary data for Olympia, 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 $63,526 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Olympia 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