Healthcare Chattanooga, TN Pop. 181,099

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee

The median medical laboratory technician salary in Chattanooga, TN is $52,020 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.

City Median
$52,020
vs State Avg
$-578
vs National
$-5,780
Cost of Living
88%

Medical Laboratory Technician Pay in Chattanooga: What to Expect (2026)

Chattanooga offers a median medical laboratory technician salary of $52,020, which is $578 below the Tennessee state average of $52,598. Compared to the national median of $57,800, Chattanooga pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Chattanooga's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $52,020 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $59,114 in an average-cost city. This makes Chattanooga an attractive option for medical laboratory technicians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for medical laboratory technicians in Chattanooga spans from $34,200 at the 10th percentile to $76,500 at the 90th percentile — a $42,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,000, while senior medical laboratory technicians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $73,800. With a population of 181,099, Chattanooga is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Chattanooga by Experience

In Chattanooga, an entry-level medical laboratory technician earns around $36,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $73,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,000
$-4,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,200
$-5,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$73,800
$-8,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Chattanooga, TN

Percentile Chattanooga
10th Percentile $34,200
25th Percentile $41,400
Median (50th) $52,020
75th Percentile $64,800
90th Percentile $76,500

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Other Tennessee Cities

How to Become a Medical Laboratory Technician in Chattanooga

Education

Most medical laboratory technician positions require a associate's degree. Chattanooga and the surrounding Tennessee area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Lab TechniquesHematologyMicrobiologyQuality ControlEquipment OperationData Entry

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical laboratory technician employment is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Chattanooga may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs in Chattanooga

Browse open medical laboratory technician positions in Chattanooga, TN:

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Chattanooga

How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make in Chattanooga, TN? ▼
The median medical laboratory technician salary in Chattanooga, Tennessee is $52,020 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $57,800. Salaries range from $34,200 (10th percentile) to $76,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make per hour in Chattanooga? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,020, a medical laboratory technician in Chattanooga earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Chattanooga compare to the Tennessee state average for medical laboratory technician pay? ▼
Chattanooga's median medical laboratory technician salary of $52,020 is 1.1% below the Tennessee state average of $52,598. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Chattanooga, TN? ▼
Chattanooga has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a medical laboratory technician salary of $52,020 in Chattanooga has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical laboratory technician in Chattanooga? ▼
Most medical laboratory technician positions in Chattanooga require a associate's degree. Key skills include Lab Techniques, Hematology, Microbiology, Quality Control. The job market is projected to grow 7% nationally over the next decade.