How Much Does an MLT Make in Mississippi in 2026?

A typical MLT in Mississippi earns about $24.35 per hour ($50,640 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down into regular paychecks, that annual sum yields about $4,220 per month or $974 per week, calculated directly from the annual figure. These baseline earnings reflect full-time positions in diagnostic laboratories and hospitals across the state.

Nationally, medical laboratory technicians earn a typical rate of $30.26 hourly or $62,930 annually. Mississippi sits 20% below that national baseline, placing the state 46th out of 51 ranked states and territories. A total workforce of 3,070 technicians fills these roles statewide. Lower compensation in Mississippi corresponds directly with the state's comparatively low consumer prices and housing expenses.

Starting out in the field, entry-level positions in Mississippi typically offer around $16.23 per hour, which translates to $33,760 annually. Newer technicians build core diagnostic skills and gain familiarity with hospital test equipment during these initial stages. Within a few years on the job, pay steadily moves toward $19.31 hourly or $40,160 per year before reaching the statewide typical rate of $50,640.

With accumulated tenure, experienced technicians often earn upwards of $31.06 per hour or $64,610 per year. The top 10% of earners make over $39.04 per hour, totaling $81,200 annually. This creates an overall spread of $47,440 between starting wages and senior compensation. Shift differentials, employer work setting, and metropolitan location largely account for where an individual falls within this earning span.

Over the recorded period starting in 2017, annual compensation for Mississippi laboratory technicians grew from $43,570 to $50,640 in 2025. That trajectory represents an overall dollar gain of $7,070, which equates to a 16% rise in typical earnings. Annual figures showed modest fluctuations during the middle years before rebounding into sustained gains over the most recent reporting periods.

Nationally, typical annual pay for the profession climbed by 22% over the same timeframe. Mississippi trailed the national rate of increase by six percentage points, yet local compensation still trended upward. For someone entering the workforce now, wages have steadily moved up over time, though past trends do not guarantee future salary shifts.

Compensation varies across Mississippi metropolitan areas, which each encompass the surrounding commuter territory. Jackson leads the state with typical annual compensation of $56,310, or $27.07 per hour. That figure sits 11% above the statewide benchmark, reflecting the concentration of regional medical centers in the capital. Coastal facilities in Gulfport and Biloxi follow, both reporting typical earnings of $51,020 annually.

At the other end of the range, Hattiesburg records the lowest typical earnings at $50,640 annually, or $24.35 hourly. Across all reported markets, the resulting city spread is $5,670 per year. Jackson also maintains the largest workforce in the state with 830 employed technicians. While metropolitan Jackson offers higher wages, living expenses and housing costs in urban centers often offset part of that advantage.

Regional compensation diverges across state lines in the Southeast. To the north, Tennessee reports typical annual pay of $62,070, which is 23% higher than Mississippi, while Louisiana pays 8% more at $54,460. Conversely, Alabama and Arkansas post lower compensation at $49,440 and $49,670, each trailing Mississippi by 2%. Professional credentials and licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one through standard reciprocity procedures.

Mississippi medical laboratory technicians earn typical compensation of $50,640 annually, reflecting a decade gain of $7,070 across the state. Technicians preparing to practice locally should consult the state licensing or registry page to review current qualification standards and credentialing requirements. Reviewing dedicated city pages can help gauge localized compensation differences and identify practical employment options within specific regional healthcare markets.