Phlebotomist Pay

Kent vs Seattle: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

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

Kent, WA
$49,864
$23.97/hr
Seattle, WA
$52,141
$25.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKent, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$49,864$52,141
Hourly Rate$23.97$25.07
Entry Level (P10)$39,895$42,674
25th Percentile$42,244$48,860
75th Percentile$55,908$61,670
Top Earner (P90)$68,129$72,850
Total Employed331,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kent ($49,864) and Seattle ($52,141) phlebotomist salaries.KentSeattleMedian Salary$49,864$52,141Entry Level (P10)$39,895$42,674Top Earner (P90)$68,129$72,850US Median $47,261

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kent and Seattle is $2,277 (4.57%). 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 Kent spans $28,234,Seattle spans $30,176. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Kent
P10 (Entry)$39,895
P25$42,244
Median$49,864
P75$55,908
P90 (Top)$68,129
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, Seattle ($46,918 effective) pays 1.05% more than Kent ($46,428 effective).

Kent
Nominal: $49,864
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $46,428
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 Kent if…

  • 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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,918)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Kent grew -14.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.0% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Kent, WA

+-14.4%

$55,750 (2024) → $47,721 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+22.0%

$40,890 (2019) → $49,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Kent or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $52,141/year, compared to Kent at $49,864/year — a difference of $2,277 (4.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kent and Seattle?

Kent phlebotomists earn $23.97/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $25.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kent to Seattle as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kent and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kent = $46,428, Seattle = $46,918), job availability (33 vs 1,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $39,895 in Kent 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