Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Seattle, WA: $85,379 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Seattle, WA earns a median $85,379/year (≈ $41.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $76,826 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 29.3% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, the projected median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is a competitive $85,379, significantly higher than the national figure of $68,734. The local salary range varies considerably, spanning from $53,716 at the lower end to $135,065 for those at the upper percentile. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected into 2026, highlights that the Seattle job market for this profession is robust, with approximately 4,610 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in the area. This reflects a solid demand for skilled professionals in clinical settings, indicating Seattle's healthcare sector remains strong and stable.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,716 | $25.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,193 | $32.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,379 | $41.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,341 | $53.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,065 | $64.94 |
Median Salary Position
24.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,349 (2026 est.). At $85,379, the local median is 24.22% above the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Seattle median: $85,379/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $66,032 | +29.30% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | +24.22% more |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Seattle, WA earn a median of $85,379 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.22% higher than the national median of $68,734 and 29.30% above the Washington state average of $66,032.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,379 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,826 — a 10.02% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$60,190
2025 BLS Actual
$82,860
2026 Current Est.
$85,379
2019–2027 Growth
+46.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,379 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,974 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 37.7% from $60,190 (2019) to $82,860 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,974 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,784 (46.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $53,716 – $67,193 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,193 – $85,379 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,379 – $111,341 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,341 – $135,065 |
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 Seattle
As cost-of-living indices trend above the national average, with Seattle's at 111.133, prospective technologists should consider how this affects their overall purchasing power. Employers such as large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics typically offer the highest compensation, often due to the complexity and demands associated with specialized roles. The variations in salary are influenced by factors such as shift differentials, the necessity of particular certifications, and the overall size of the employer. To maximize earnings in the Seattle market, it's advisable for professionals to pursue in-demand specialties and seek positions in larger institutions, which frequently provide more substantial benefits and elevated pay structures. Understanding these dynamics will be crucial for anyone looking to secure a favorable medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay in Seattle, WA.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Seattle, WA in 2026?
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?
Can medical and clinical laboratory technologists make $100K in Seattle?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Seattle?
How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per hour in Seattle?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $82,860 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Seattle 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