Med Lab Scientist Salary

Bentonville vs Fayetteville: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries between Bentonville, AR and Fayetteville, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bentonville, AR
$52,882
$25.42/hr
Fayetteville, AR
$53,530
$25.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBentonville, ARFayetteville, AR
Median Salary$52,882$53,530
Hourly Rate$25.42$25.73
Entry Level (P10)$30,672$37,070
25th Percentile$41,243$42,411
75th Percentile$67,457$83,883
Top Earner (P90)$81,967$97,797
Total Employed12540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bentonville ($52,882) and Fayetteville ($53,530) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.BentonvilleFayettevilleMedian Salary$52,882$53,530Entry Level (P10)$30,672$37,070Top Earner (P90)$81,967$97,797US Median $68,734

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bentonville.

The salary gap between Bentonville and Fayetteville is $648 (1.23%). Fayetteville's median is -22.12% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bentonville spans $51,295,Fayetteville spans $60,727. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Bentonville
P10 (Entry)$30,672
P25$41,243
Median$52,882
P75$67,457
P90 (Top)$81,967
Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$37,070
P25$42,411
Median$53,530
P75$83,883
P90 (Top)$97,797

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bentonville ($60,854 effective) pays 3.85% more than Fayetteville ($58,597 effective).

Bentonville
Nominal: $52,882
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $60,854
Fayetteville
Nominal: $53,530
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $58,597

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bentonville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,854)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,530/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,797)
  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries in Bentonville grew 6.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.4% growth in Fayetteville over the same period.

Bentonville, AR

+6.8%

$48,075 (2024) → $51,322 (2025)

Fayetteville, AR

+13.4%

$45,800 (2019) → $51,951 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Bentonville or Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $53,530/year, compared to Bentonville at $52,882/year — a difference of $648 (1.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bentonville and Fayetteville?

Bentonville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $25.42/hr while Fayetteville hygienists earn $25.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bentonville to Fayetteville as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bentonville and Fayetteville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bentonville = $60,854, Fayetteville = $58,597), job availability (12 vs 540 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Bentonville vs Fayetteville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $30,672 in Bentonville and $37,070 in Fayetteville. The Fayetteville area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

Written by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP)

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory science. She specializes in molecular diagnostics. She works at a large metropolitan hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Jerome Patel, BS, MT(ASCP)Data verified by Fatima Hussain, MS, CLS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.04% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Choi, MS, MT(ASCP), a licensed medical and clinical laboratory technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov