How Much Does an MLT Make in Bristol, VA in 2026?
Typical pay for MLTs in Bristol, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Virginia.
BLS OES May 2025 · Kingsport · Bristol metro area
A typical MLT in Bristol, Virginia earns $28.59 per hour, or $59,470 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $4,956 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,580, and the top 10% of earners make over $79,000.
That pay is 3% below the Virginia figure of $61,050 and 5% below the national figure of $62,930. Bristol ranks 6th of 10 metro areas in Virginia for MLT pay. About 190 MLTs work in the Kingsport · Bristol area.
MLT pay in Bristol at a glance
- Typical pay is $28.59 an hour, or $59,470 a year.
- That is 3% below the Virginia figure, ranking 6th of 10 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,580; the top 10% make over $79,000.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an MLT make in Bristol?
Pay in Bristol runs from entry-level positions at around $18.07 an hour to more than $37.98 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Virginia and national figures.
MLT pay by career stage in Bristol
| Career stage | Bristol | Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $37,580$18.07 an hour | $38,910$18.71 an hour | $38,910$18.71 an hour |
| First years | $44,200$21.25 an hour | $46,430$22.32 an hour | $47,650$22.91 an hour |
| Typical MLT | $59,470$28.59 an hour | $61,050$29.35 an hour | $62,930$30.26 an hour |
| Experienced | $65,960$31.71 an hour | $79,700$38.32 an hour | $81,450$39.16 an hour |
| Top 10% | $79,000$37.98 an hour | $96,080$46.19 an hour | $100,990$48.55 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Kingsport · Bristol area as BLS defines it
MLT pay growth in Bristol
Typical (median) annual wage for MLTs in the Kingsport · Bristol area · BLS OES May estimates, 2017 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2017, typical MLT pay in Bristol was $39,140 a year. By 2025 it had reached $59,470.
How Bristol compares with other Virginia cities
Arlington pays MLTs the most in Virginia at $70,300 a year, $10,830 more than Bristol. The lowest-paying area in the state is Staunton at $45,440.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Bristol | MLTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington | $70,300 | $33.80 | +18% | 5,680 |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $66,700 | $32.07 | +12% | 170 |
| 3 | Richmond | $61,830 | $29.72 | +4% | — |
| 4 | Winchester | $60,960 | $29.31 | +3% | 190 |
| 5 | Radford metro incl. Blacksburg · Christiansburg | $60,530 | $29.10 | +2% | 80 |
| 6 | Bristol | $59,470 | $28.59 | this city | 190 |
| 7 | Virginia Beach | $58,860 | $28.30 | -1% | 1,450 |
| 8 | Lynchburg | $54,350 | $26.13 | -9% | 90 |
| 9 | Roanoke | $48,880 | $23.50 | -18% | 410 |
| 10 | Stuarts Draft metro incl. Staunton | $45,440 | $21.85 | -24% | 100 |
Every metro area in Virginia with MLT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Virginia typical pay $61,050
Is Bristol a good place to work as an MLT?
MLTs in Bristol earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $59,470 a year, 5% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Kingsport · Bristol area, about 1.6 are MLT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 2.1. That makes MLTs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an MLT make in Bristol, VA?
- A typical MLT in Bristol earns $59,470 a year, or $28.59 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $37,580 and the top 10% earn over $79,000.
- How much does an MLT make an hour in Bristol?
- Typical hourly pay for MLTs in Bristol is $28.59. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $18.07, and the top 10% earn over $37.98 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an MLT in Bristol?
- Entry-level MLT positions in Bristol typically offer around $18.07 an hour, or $37,580 a year.
- Is MLT pay in Bristol higher than in the rest of Virginia?
- Bristol pay is 3% below the Virginia figure of $61,050 a year, ranking 6th of 10 metro areas in the state. Arlington pays the most in Virginia at $70,300.