How Much Does an MLT Make in Georgia in 2026?
Typical pay for MLTs in Georgia, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Georgia · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical MLT in Georgia earns about $29.89 per hour ($62,180 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from this annual figure, full-time workers take home roughly $5,182 per month. That breaks down to approximately $1,196 per week before taxes and deductions. These baseline figures represent typical technician earnings across the state.
This statewide rate sits 1% below the national benchmark of $62,930, where typical hourly pay reaches $30.26. Georgia ranks 24th among 51 ranked states and territories for technician compensation. The state supports a total workforce of 11,540 technicians working across clinical settings. Slightly lower pay compared to the country as a whole generally mirrors regional living costs.
MLT pay in Georgia at a glance
- According to the latest government wage data (May 2025), a typical MLT in Georgia earns $29.89 per hour, or $62,180 annually.
- Georgia ranks 24th among states, with annual technician pay sitting 1% below the overall national figure.
- The Augusta and Richmond County metro area leads the state with typical annual technician pay of $67,040.
- Starting technicians earn around $37,970 yearly, while the top ten percent of experienced earners bring home $101,020.
- Statewide earnings for laboratory technicians increased by 30% between 2017 and 2025, adding $14,440 in total pay.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an MLT make in Georgia?
MLT pay by career stage in Georgia
| Career stage | Georgia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $37,970$18.26 an hour | $38,910$18.71 an hour |
| First years | $47,230$22.71 an hour | $47,650$22.91 an hour |
| Typical MLT | $62,180$29.89 an hour | $62,930$30.26 an hour |
| Experienced | $83,460$40.13 an hour | $81,450$39.16 an hour |
| Top 10% | $101,020$48.57 an hour | $100,990$48.55 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
MLT pay by experience level in Georgia
Entry-level positions in Georgia typically offer around $18.26 per hour, which translates to an annual salary of $37,970. Technicians establishing their clinical skills often earn around $22.71 per hour, or $47,230 per year. Pay generally moves toward the statewide typical rate of $62,180 within a few years on the job. Developing hands-on competence across core benches allows new staff to transition quickly past introductory wage rates.
Experienced technicians often earn upwards of $40.13 per hour, or $83,460 annually, as they assume advanced responsibilities. The top 10% of earners make over $48.57 per hour, which tops $101,020 in yearly earnings. This creates an overall wage spread of $63,050 between entry-level workers and senior staff. Practical differences in work setting, cumulative years of experience, and geographic city largely account for where an individual lands within this range.
MLT pay growth in Georgia
Typical (median) annual wage for MLTs in Georgia · BLS OES May estimates, 2017 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Between 2017 and 2025, typical annual earnings for laboratory technicians in Georgia rose from $47,740 to $62,180. This steady upward shift generated an absolute gain of $14,440 over that span. Across those eight years, the cumulative wage increase reached 30% in nominal compensation. Compensation held relatively flat through 2021 before experiencing substantial upward adjustments in subsequent years.
Georgia outpaced the national decade rise, which registered at 22% across the same timeframe. Annual figures in the state climbed more rapidly than broad countrywide metrics between 2021 and 2024. For someone entering the laboratory field now, historical records confirm that pay has moved up over the decade. These previous shifts reflect past conditions rather than promising future salary trajectories.
MLT salary by city in Georgia
Technician compensation reaches its peak in the Augusta and Richmond County area, where typical annual earnings sit at $67,040, or $32.23 hourly. Pay in this metropolitan region sits 8% above the statewide benchmark. Nearby Rome follows closely with annual earnings of $65,840, while the Atlanta metropolitan area posts typical salaries of $65,530. All reported city figures reflect data gathered from each city's full metropolitan area.
At the lower end of the spectrum, Warner Robins reports typical annual pay of $48,100, representing an hourly rate of $23.12. This creates a geographic wage spread of $18,940 across Georgia communities. Atlanta employs the largest workforce by far, supporting 6,750 technician jobs. Lower wages in smaller markets frequently align with cheaper housing and overall living expenses.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Georgia | MLTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Augusta metro incl. Richmond County | $67,040 | $32.23 | +8% | 570 |
| 2 | Rome | $65,840 | $31.65 | +6% | — |
| 3 | Atlanta metro incl. Sandy Springs · Roswell | $65,530 | $31.51 | +5% | 6,750 |
| 4 | Hinesville | $63,520 | $30.54 | +2% | 40 |
| 5 | Dalton | $63,040 | $30.31 | +1% | 100 |
| 6 | Savannah | $61,540 | $29.59 | -1% | 380 |
| 7 | Athens metro incl. Clarke County | $60,280 | $28.98 | -3% | 370 |
| 8 | Macon metro incl. Bibb County | $60,250 | $28.97 | -3% | 300 |
| 9 | Albany | $59,370 | $28.54 | -5% | 210 |
| 10 | Brunswick metro incl. St. Simons | $58,180 | $27.97 | -6% | 150 |
| 11 | Columbus | $52,560 | $25.27 | -15% | 340 |
| 12 | Gainesville | $52,110 | $25.05 | -16% | 410 |
| 13 | Valdosta | $51,630 | $24.82 | -17% | 120 |
| 14 | Warner Robins | $48,100 | $23.12 | -23% | 90 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Georgia typical pay $62,180
How Georgia compares with nearby states
Georgia offers competitive compensation compared to surrounding southeastern states. Typical pay in Tennessee is nearly identical at $62,070, while North Carolina and Florida trail slightly at $60,650 and $60,510 respectively. In contrast, compensation runs lower in South Carolina at $55,280 and in Alabama at $49,440, which sits 20% below Georgia. Professional licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $62,180 | baseline |
| Tennessee | $62,070 | 0% |
| North Carolina | $60,650 | -2% |
| Florida | $60,510 | -3% |
| South Carolina | $55,280 | -11% |
| Alabama | $49,440 | -20% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical MLT pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Georgia a good state for MLTs?
MLTs in Georgia earn a competitive wage: typical pay is $62,180 a year, 1% below the national figure, ranking 24th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Georgia, about 2.4 are MLT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 2.1. MLT jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. Overall, Georgia is a middle-of-the-table state for MLT pay, close to the national figure.
Summary
A career as an MLT in Georgia offers a typical salary of $62,180, backed by a 30% increase in earnings over the past decade. Prospective technicians should explore the state licensing or registry page to review mandatory credentialing and examination requirements. Consulting dedicated city pages provides granular insight into metropolitan compensation patterns. These resources help candidates make informed choices as they establish their clinical laboratory careers.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an MLT make in Georgia?
- A typical medical laboratory technician in Georgia earns $29.89 per hour, which equals an annual salary of $62,180. Pay ranges broadly depending on location and experience, spanning from $37,970 for entry-level roles up to $101,020 for the top ten percent of earners across the state.
- How much does an MLT make an hour in Georgia?
- Medical laboratory technicians in Georgia earn a typical hourly wage of $29.89. Starting hourly pay begins around $18.26 for new technicians, while highly experienced specialists in the top tier can make upwards of $48.57 per hour in hospital and reference laboratory positions.
- What is the starting pay for an MLT in Georgia?
- Entry-level medical laboratory technicians in Georgia start around $18.26 per hour, which amounts to approximately $37,970 annually. Technicians who build foundational competencies typically see their compensation increase toward the statewide typical salary of $62,180 within their first several years of clinical laboratory practice.
- Which city in Georgia pays MLTs the most?
- The Augusta and Richmond County metropolitan area pays the highest wages in Georgia, with typical annual earnings of $67,040, or $32.23 hourly. This exceeds the statewide figure by 8%. Rome and the greater Atlanta area follow closely, reporting annual rates of $65,840 and $65,530 respectively.
- Is MLT pay in Georgia higher than the national rate?
- No, MLT pay in Georgia sits slightly lower than the national figure. The state typical salary of $62,180 trails the national rate of $62,930 by 1%, representing an hourly difference between $29.89 and $30.26. This modest gap generally aligns with the state's comparatively lower living costs.