Phlebotomist Pay

Spokane vs Tumwater: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

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

Spokane, WA
$47,940
$23.05/hr
Tumwater, WA
$49,855
$23.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpokane, WATumwater, WA
Median Salary$47,940$49,855
Hourly Rate$23.05$23.97
Entry Level (P10)$39,278$39,333
25th Percentile$42,245$43,468
75th Percentile$50,416$51,716
Top Earner (P90)$62,548$65,025
Total Employed2906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Spokane ($47,940) and Tumwater ($49,855) phlebotomist salaries.SpokaneTumwaterMedian Salary$47,940$49,855Entry Level (P10)$39,278$39,333Top Earner (P90)$62,548$65,025US Median $47,261

Verdict

Tumwater, WA offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Spokane and Tumwater is $1,915 (3.99%). Tumwater's median is +5.49% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Spokane spans $23,270,Tumwater spans $25,692. Tumwater has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Spokane
P10 (Entry)$39,278
P25$42,245
Median$47,940
P75$50,416
P90 (Top)$62,548
Tumwater
P10 (Entry)$39,333
P25$43,468
Median$49,855
P75$51,716
P90 (Top)$65,025

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($47,775 effective) pays 2.92% more than Tumwater ($46,420 effective).

Spokane
Nominal: $47,940
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $47,775
Tumwater
Nominal: $49,855
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $46,420

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,775)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Tumwater if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,855/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,025)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Spokane grew 19.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.7% growth in Tumwater over the same period.

Spokane, WA

+19.8%

$38,310 (2019) → $45,880 (2025)

Tumwater, WA

+-12.7%

$54,669 (2024) → $47,713 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Spokane or Tumwater?

Tumwater has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $49,855/year, compared to Spokane at $47,940/year — a difference of $1,915 (3.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Spokane and Tumwater?

Spokane phlebotomists earn $23.05/hr while Tumwater hygienists earn $23.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Spokane to Tumwater as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Spokane and Tumwater. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Spokane = $47,775, Tumwater = $46,420), job availability (290 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Spokane vs Tumwater?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $39,278 in Spokane and $39,333 in Tumwater. The Tumwater 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