Med Lab Scientist Salary

Longview vs Seattle: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Longview, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Longview, WA
$64,411
$30.96/hr
Seattle, WA
$85,379
$41.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLongview, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$64,411$85,379
Hourly Rate$30.96$41.04
Entry Level (P10)$38,946$53,716
25th Percentile$47,671$67,193
75th Percentile$82,446$111,341
Top Earner (P90)$99,838$135,065
Total Employed64,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Longview ($64,411) and Seattle ($85,379) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.LongviewSeattleMedian Salary$64,411$85,379Entry Level (P10)$38,946$53,716Top Earner (P90)$99,838$135,065US Median $68,734

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Longview.

The salary gap between Longview and Seattle is $20,968 (32.55%). Seattle's median is +24.22% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Longview spans $60,892,Seattle spans $81,349. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Longview
P10 (Entry)$38,946
P25$47,671
Median$64,411
P75$82,446
P90 (Top)$99,838
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$53,716
P25$67,193
Median$85,379
P75$111,341
P90 (Top)$135,065

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($76,826 effective) pays 28.10% more than Longview ($59,973 effective).

Longview
Nominal: $64,411
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $59,973
Seattle
Nominal: $85,379
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $76,826

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Longview if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,379/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($135,065)
  • Larger job market (4,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,826)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Longview grew -11.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.7% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Longview, WA

+-11.8%

$70,870 (2019) → $62,511 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+37.7%

$60,190 (2019) → $82,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Longview or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $85,379/year, compared to Longview at $64,411/year — a difference of $20,968 (32.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Longview and Seattle?

Longview medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30.96/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $41.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Longview to Seattle as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Longview and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Longview = $59,973, Seattle = $76,826), job availability (6 vs 4,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Longview vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $38,946 in Longview and $53,716 in Seattle. The Seattle area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Jerome Patel, BS, MT(ASCP)Data verified by Fatima Hussain, MS, CLS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.04% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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