2024 Data

Medical Lab Technician Salary in Seattle, WA: $75,281 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $36.19/hour | $50,115 - $106,986 range

Median Annual Salary

$75,281

23.9% vs national

Hourly Rate

$36.19

/hour

Jobs in Area

363

employed

Salary Range$50,115 - $106,986
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Seattle, WA

$75,281

San Jose, CA

$81,827

$6,546 more (+8.7%)

in San Jose, CA

Medical Lab Technician Salary Range in Seattle, WA

Annual Salary Range

$75k

$50k

10th percentile

$61k

25th

$88k

75th

$107k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$50,115$24.09
25th Percentile$61,222$29.43
Median (50th Percentile)$75,281$36.19
75th Percentile$88,180$42.39
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$106,986$51.44
Average (Mean)$80,215$38.56

Medical Lab Technician Market Insights for Seattle, WA

Compensation Overview

Medical Lab Technicians in Seattle, WA are among the highest paid in both the nation and Washington. This premium reflects the competitive local market and strong demand from employers seeking top talent in the region.

Local Market Context

Seattle, WA is a high cost-of-living metro area, which typically correlates with higher nominal salaries. While wages may appear higher, purchasing power should be carefully evaluated against housing, transportation, and everyday expenses in the Washington market.

Cost of Living Impact

Cost of living adjustments reduce effective purchasing power by approximately 33% compared to national averages. When evaluating opportunities in Seattle, WA, factor in higher expenses for housing and daily necessities.

Career Outlook

The Medical Lab Technician profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 113% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 42% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

+24%

vs National Avg

+24%

vs State Avg

113%

Salary Range

363

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Medical Lab Technician salary growth in Seattle, WA based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$50,115

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$61,222

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$75,281

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$88,180

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$106,986

/year

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Medical Lab Technician Job Market in Seattle, WA

Where Medical Lab Technicians Work

Medical Lab Technicians work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in Seattle, WA compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Seattle, WA

  • Research major employers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Washington
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Seattle, WA market rate of $75,281
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $50,115 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median medical lab technician salary in Seattle, WA is $75,281 per year ($36.19/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $50,115 for entry-level positions to $106,986 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level medical lab technicians in Seattle, WA typically start at around $50,115 per year ($24.09/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $75,281 within 3-5 years.

Medical Lab Technicians in Seattle, WA earn a median hourly wage of $36.19 per hour. Hourly rates range from $24.09/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $51.44/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $50,115 and $106,986.

The median medical lab technician salary of $75,281 in Seattle, WA is significantly above the national median of $60,780 (23.9% higher). However, the cost of living is 50% above the national average, which affects purchasing power. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of medical lab technicians in the area earn more and half earn less.

Medical Lab Technicians in Seattle, WA earn significantly above the national average. The local median salary of $75,281 is 23.9% higher than the national median of $60,780. However, the cost of living is 50% above the national average, which affects purchasing power. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $50,322.

The top 10% of medical lab technicians in Seattle, WA earn $106,986 or more per year ($51.44/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $88,180, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost medical lab technician salary in Seattle, WA include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $75,281, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($88,180) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Seattle, WA has a specialized job market for medical lab technicians, with approximately 363 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $75,281 is significantly above the national average. However, the cost of living is 50% above the national average, which affects purchasing power. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your medical lab technician salary to these Seattle, WA benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $50,115, 25th percentile: $61,222, 50th percentile (median): $75,281, 75th percentile: $88,180, 90th percentile (top earners): $106,986. If you earn more than $75,281, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $75,281 median base salary, medical lab technicians in Seattle, WA typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced medical lab technicians with 5-10 years in Seattle, WA typically earn $88,180 (75th percentile) to $106,986 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $106,986. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $75,281.

Medical Lab Technicians in Seattle, WA can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($50,115) to median ($75,281) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($106,986) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $56,871 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

29-2010

SOC Classification

Sample Size

363

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Medical Lab Technician in Seattle, WA

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Median: $75,281/yr

How Seattle, WA Compares

vs National Average

$60,780

+23.9%

vs Washington Average

$60,537

+24.4%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$50,322

-33.2%

Cost of living in Seattle, WA is 49.6% above the national average.

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