How Much Does an MLT Make in Idaho in 2026?

A typical MLT in Idaho earns about $22.81 per hour ($47,450 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That annual total translates to roughly $3,954 per month or $912 per week, calculated directly from the yearly figure. These numbers reflect standard baseline compensation for full-time technicians across Idaho facilities. Take-home earnings can vary depending on scheduled shift differentials and overtime hours.

Statewide pay sits 25% below the national figure of $62,930 per year, or $30.26 per hour. This places Idaho at 50th among all 51 ranked states and territories for technician compensation. Lower pay in the region generally tracks lower overall living expenses compared to coastal states. Idaho employs a workforce of roughly 1,590 technicians who support hospitals, clinics, and testing laboratories.

Entry-level positions in Idaho typically offer around $18.33 per hour, which equals $38,130 annually. New graduates and technicians in their first position often start near this level as they complete on-the-job training. Pay usually moves toward the typical rate of $22.81 within a few years of clinical experience. Early career workers frequently pick up evening or weekend shifts to increase their base wages.

Experienced MLTs often earn upwards of $36.06 per hour, or $75,000 annually. The top 10% of earners make over $44.36 per hour, which surpasses $92,280 per year. Across the state, the spread between entry-level wages and top-tier compensation totals $54,150. Practice setting, decades of bench experience, and employer location tend to separate these earning tiers.

In 2017, the baseline annual pay for laboratory technicians in Idaho stood at $45,470. By 2025, that annual wage reached $47,450, representing a modest dollar gain of $1,980. This shift amounts to an overall wage increase of 4% over the eight-year tracking period. Annual figures fluctuated between years but steadily maintained a narrow overall wage band.

By comparison, laboratory technician compensation across the country rose by 22% over that same decade. Idaho experienced slower wage growth than the nation as a whole during this time. For someone starting a career today, statewide wages have moved upward, though past trends offer no certainty for future earnings. Compensation remains steady across regional health networks.

Pay runs highest in Lewiston, where technicians earn $49,850 per year ($23.97 per hour). That figure sits 5% above the statewide baseline, making it the best-paying market in Idaho. In Coeur d'Alene, technicians earn an annual rate of $47,450 ($22.81 per hour), matching the broader state rate. These northern communities provide slightly higher compensation rates for clinical laboratory staff.

Pocatello reports the lowest local compensation at $41,870 annually ($20.13 per hour). Across the five tracked areas, the city spread totals $7,980 between the highest and lowest paying regions. Boise City employs the largest technician workforce with 730 positions, offering an annual rate of $46,680. All city figures cover each city's full metropolitan area, where local living costs frequently balance regional differences in pay.

Every neighboring state reports higher technician earnings than Idaho. Oregon shows the largest difference, paying $83,010 annually, which is 75% higher than Idaho. Washington also pays significantly more at $72,760, representing a 53% premium. On the lower side of the regional spectrum, Utah offers pay closest to Idaho at $49,090, just 3% higher. Professional licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one.

Medical laboratory technicians in Idaho earn a typical annual wage of $47,450, following an increase of $1,980 over the last decade. While baseline compensation sits below national figures, geographic location and living costs shape local earnings across communities. Technicians planning their careers should review the state licensing or registry page for credential requirements. Consulting individual city pages provides a closer look at regional compensation and facility opportunities.