How Much Does an MLT Make in Nevada in 2026?
Typical pay for MLTs in Nevada, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Nevada · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical MLT in Nevada earns about $27.56 per hour ($57,320 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). On a monthly basis, that translates to approximately $4,777, calculated directly from the annual figure. Full-time workers take home about $1,102 per week based on that same yearly sum. These figures reflect regular base earnings before shift differentials or overtime.
Nevada pays 9% below the national benchmark of $30.26 per hour, or $62,930 per year. That places the state 39th among all 51 ranked states and jurisdictions for clinical laboratory technician pay. Across Nevada, laboratories employ roughly 2,040 technicians to handle diagnostic testing. Lower regional pay in this field usually tracks lower living costs found across several inland communities.
MLT pay in Nevada at a glance
- According to the latest government wage data (May 2025), a typical Nevada MLT earns $27.56 per hour, which equals $57,320 annually.
- Nevada ranks 39th among all states for laboratory technician compensation, trailing the national benchmark by 9%.
- The Las Vegas metropolitan area offers the highest earnings in the state, with typical compensation reaching $60,640 per year.
- Starting positions in Nevada begin near $40,390 annually, while the top 10% of earners make over $103,890.
- Across the recorded decade, statewide technician wages experienced a net decline of 2%, moving down from 2017 levels.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an MLT make in Nevada?
MLT pay by career stage in Nevada
| Career stage | Nevada | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $40,390$19.42 an hour | $38,910$18.71 an hour |
| First years | $47,190$22.69 an hour | $47,650$22.91 an hour |
| Typical MLT | $57,320$27.56 an hour | $62,930$30.26 an hour |
| Experienced | $81,470$39.17 an hour | $81,450$39.16 an hour |
| Top 10% | $103,890$49.95 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 Nevada
Entry-level positions in Nevada typically offer around $19.42 per hour, which works out to $40,390 per year. Newer technicians stepping into community clinics or hospital night shifts often begin near this range. With two to three years of bench experience, compensation generally advances toward $22.69 per hour, or $47,190 annually. Steady competency across core laboratory benches helps pay move toward the state typical figure within a few years.
Experienced technicians often earn upwards of $39.17 per hour, or $81,470 annually, as they take on complex instrumentation and quality control duties. The top 10% of earners make over $49.95 per hour, surpassing $103,890 in annual compensation. That creates an entry-to-top spread of $63,500 across the state. Clinical work setting, years of specialized practice, and facility location in larger population centers tend to separate these earning tiers.
MLT pay growth in Nevada
Typical (median) annual wage for MLTs in Nevada · BLS OES May estimates, 2017 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
State records show that typical annual pay stood at $58,650 back in 2017. By 2025, statewide compensation adjusted to $57,320, reflecting a net dollar decline of $1,330 over the recorded cycle. That movement amounts to a 2% decline across the multi-year tracking period. Yearly figures fluctuated in between, rising as high as $62,640 in 2022 before settling at the present baseline.
Nationally, laboratory technician earnings posted a 22% rise over the decade. Nevada lagged that broader expansion, keeping long-term regional adjustments relatively flat. For someone starting in the field now, pay has moved up from recent lows, though past patterns provide no promises for incoming cohorts. Evaluating current clinical postings provides the clearest picture of active compensation in local laboratories.
MLT salary by city in Nevada
Within Nevada, earnings run highest in the Las Vegas area, where typical compensation reaches $60,640 per year ($29.15 hourly). City figures cover each city's full metro area, meaning Henderson and North Las Vegas share these identical figures. Pay in this southern urban center sits 6% above the statewide typical baseline. In Carson City, annual pay closely follows at $58,810, or $28.28 per hour.
At the other end of the range, Reno records the lowest earnings among major population centers at $49,930 annually, or $24.01 per hour. Between Reno and Las Vegas, the city spread equals $10,710 per year. Las Vegas also maintains the largest workforce in the state by far, employing 1,390 technicians across its health systems. These geographic wage differences often reflect local living costs, which vary considerably between northern and southern Nevada.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Nevada | MLTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas metro incl. Henderson · North Las Vegas | $60,640 | $29.15 | +6% | 1,390 |
| 2 | Carson City | $58,810 | $28.28 | +3% | 50 |
| 3 | Reno | $49,930 | $24.01 | -13% | 470 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Nevada typical pay $57,320
How Nevada compares with nearby states
Nevada presents a middle ground compared to adjacent states. To the northwest, Oregon leads at $83,010, while California posts $76,010 and Arizona sits at $62,530. Lower rates appear to the east and north, where Utah reports $49,090 and Idaho sits lowest at $47,450. Professional licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby one. These varying wage levels highlight practical options across the mountain and coastal West.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $57,320 | baseline |
| Oregon | $83,010 | +45% |
| California | $76,010 | +33% |
| Arizona | $62,530 | +9% |
| Utah | $49,090 | -14% |
| Idaho | $47,450 | -17% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical MLT pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Nevada a good state for MLTs?
MLT pay in Nevada sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $57,320 a year, 9% below the national figure, ranking 39th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Nevada, about 1.3 are MLT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 2.2. That makes MLTs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates. On pay alone, Nevada ranks below most states.
Summary
Laboratory technicians in Nevada currently take home typical annual earnings of $57,320, reflecting stability after a modest 2% decrease over the past decade. For those planning a clinical career path, reviewing the state licensing page outlines mandatory credentialing requirements and background checks. Exploring dedicated city pages provides granular breakdowns of local employer pay and regional wage differences. Checking both resources ensures a well-rounded perspective before accepting an offer.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an MLT make in Nevada?
- A typical medical laboratory technician in Nevada earns $27.56 per hour, which equates to $57,320 annually. Actual compensation varies by setting and regional cost of living, ranging from $40,390 for starting roles up to $103,890 for top earners.
- How much does an MLT make an hour in Nevada?
- In Nevada, the typical hourly wage for a medical laboratory technician is $27.56. Entry-level technicians generally start around $19.42 per hour, while highly experienced technicians and specialists in the top 10% earn upwards of $49.95 per hour.
- What is the starting pay for an MLT in Nevada?
- Entry-level medical laboratory technicians in Nevada typically start at $19.42 per hour, which equals $40,390 per year. Technicians with limited clinical bench experience usually begin near this entry rate before advancing toward the state typical salary as they gain hospital or commercial laboratory tenure.
- Which city in Nevada pays MLTs the most?
- The Las Vegas metropolitan area pays the most in Nevada, with typical technician earnings of $60,640 annually ($29.15 per hour). This metropolitan figure also applies to Henderson and North Las Vegas, placing local compensation about 6% higher than the statewide typical wage.
- Is MLT pay in Nevada higher than the national rate?
- No, MLT pay in Nevada is 9% below the national rate. The typical annual salary in Nevada is $57,320 ($27.56 per hour), compared to the national figure of $62,930 ($30.26 per hour). Nevada ranks 39th out of 51 states and jurisdictions for this occupation.