How Much Does an MLT Make in Chattanooga, TN in 2026?
Typical pay for MLTs in Chattanooga, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Tennessee.
BLS OES May 2025 · Chattanooga metro area
A typical MLT in Chattanooga, Tennessee earns $27.92 per hour, or $58,070 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $4,839 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,520, and the top 10% of earners make over $81,400.
That pay is 6% below the Tennessee figure of $62,070 and 8% below the national figure of $62,930. Chattanooga ranks 9th of 10 metro areas in Tennessee for MLT pay. About 660 MLTs work in the Chattanooga area.
MLT pay in Chattanooga at a glance
- Typical pay is $27.92 an hour, or $58,070 a year.
- That is 6% below the Tennessee figure, ranking 9th of 10 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,520; the top 10% make over $81,400.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an MLT make in Chattanooga?
Pay in Chattanooga runs from entry-level positions at around $18.04 an hour to more than $39.14 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Tennessee and national figures.
MLT pay by career stage in Chattanooga
| Career stage | Chattanooga | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $37,520$18.04 an hour | $37,800$18.18 an hour | $38,910$18.71 an hour |
| First years | $41,320$19.87 an hour | $46,860$22.53 an hour | $47,650$22.91 an hour |
| Typical MLT | $58,070$27.92 an hour | $62,070$29.84 an hour | $62,930$30.26 an hour |
| Experienced | $74,400$35.77 an hour | $78,720$37.84 an hour | $81,450$39.16 an hour |
| Top 10% | $81,400$39.14 an hour | $87,210$41.93 an hour | $100,990$48.55 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Chattanooga area as BLS defines it
MLT pay growth in Chattanooga
Typical (median) annual wage for MLTs in the Chattanooga area · BLS OES May estimates, 2017 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2017, typical MLT pay in Chattanooga was $42,750 a year. By 2025 it had reached $58,070.
How Chattanooga compares with other Tennessee cities
Nashville pays MLTs the most in Tennessee at $65,060 a year, $6,990 more than Chattanooga. The lowest-paying area in the state is Johnson City at $51,000.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Chattanooga | MLTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $65,060 | $31.28 | +12% | 3,050 |
| 2 | Memphis | $64,000 | $30.77 | +10% | 1,830 |
| 3 | Jackson | $62,420 | $30.01 | +7% | 210 |
| 4 | Clarksville | $61,580 | $29.61 | +6% | 140 |
| 5 | Kingsport metro incl. Bristol | $59,470 | $28.59 | +2% | 190 |
| 6 | Morristown | $59,050 | $28.39 | +2% | 60 |
| 7 | Knoxville | $58,650 | $28.20 | +1% | 1,320 |
| 8 | Cleveland | $58,240 | $28.00 | 0% | 80 |
| 9 | Chattanooga | $58,070 | $27.92 | this city | 660 |
| 10 | Johnson City | $51,000 | $24.52 | -12% | 330 |
Every metro area in Tennessee with MLT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Tennessee typical pay $62,070
Is Chattanooga a good place to work as an MLT?
MLTs in Chattanooga earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $58,070 a year, 8% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Chattanooga area, about 2.5 are MLT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 2.2. MLT jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an MLT make in Chattanooga, TN?
- A typical MLT in Chattanooga earns $58,070 a year, or $27.92 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $37,520 and the top 10% earn over $81,400.
- How much does an MLT make an hour in Chattanooga?
- Typical hourly pay for MLTs in Chattanooga is $27.92. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $18.04, and the top 10% earn over $39.14 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an MLT in Chattanooga?
- Entry-level MLT positions in Chattanooga typically offer around $18.04 an hour, or $37,520 a year.
- Is MLT pay in Chattanooga higher than in the rest of Tennessee?
- Chattanooga pay is 6% below the Tennessee figure of $62,070 a year, ranking 9th of 10 metro areas in the state. Nashville pays the most in Tennessee at $65,060.