Phlebotomist Pay

Richland vs Seattle: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Richland, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richland, WA
$50,817
$24.43/hr
Seattle, WA
$52,141
$25.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichland, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$50,817$52,141
Hourly Rate$24.43$25.07
Entry Level (P10)$40,047$42,674
25th Percentile$42,411$48,860
75th Percentile$54,313$61,670
Top Earner (P90)$64,304$72,850
Total Employed151,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richland ($50,817) and Seattle ($52,141) phlebotomist salaries.RichlandSeattleMedian Salary$50,817$52,141Entry Level (P10)$40,047$42,674Top Earner (P90)$64,304$72,850US Median $47,261

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Richland.

The salary gap between Richland and Seattle is $1,324 (2.61%). Seattle's median is +10.33% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richland spans $24,257,Seattle spans $30,176. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Richland
P10 (Entry)$40,047
P25$42,411
Median$50,817
P75$54,313
P90 (Top)$64,304
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$42,674
P25$48,860
Median$52,141
P75$61,670
P90 (Top)$72,850

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richland ($47,316 effective) pays 0.85% more than Seattle ($46,918 effective).

Richland
Nominal: $50,817
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $47,316
Seattle
Nominal: $52,141
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $46,918

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richland if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,316)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,141/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,850)
  • Larger job market (1,610 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Richland grew -13.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.0% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Richland, WA

+-13.8%

$56,442 (2024) → $48,633 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+22.0%

$40,890 (2019) → $49,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Richland or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $52,141/year, compared to Richland at $50,817/year — a difference of $1,324 (2.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richland and Seattle?

Richland phlebotomists earn $24.43/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $25.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richland to Seattle as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richland and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richland = $47,316, Seattle = $46,918), job availability (15 vs 1,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Richland vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $40,047 in Richland and $42,674 in Seattle. The Seattle area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MLT

Career Analyst

Aisha has over 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory technology. She specializes in blood collection and processing. She works in a large urban hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Thompson, PBT(ASCP)Data verified by Maria Garcia, CPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.49% 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 Aisha Patel, MLT, a licensed phlebotomist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov