Med Lab Scientist Salary

Conway vs Little Rock: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Conway, AR
$55,718
$26.79/hr
Little Rock, AR
$56,927
$27.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConway, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$55,718$56,927
Hourly Rate$26.79$27.37
Entry Level (P10)$34,989$40,685
25th Percentile$42,175$43,810
75th Percentile$71,319$70,634
Top Earner (P90)$86,363$87,717
Total Employed141,110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Conway ($55,718) and Little Rock ($56,927) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.ConwayLittle RockMedian Salary$55,718$56,927Entry Level (P10)$34,989$40,685Top Earner (P90)$86,363$87,717US Median $68,734

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Conway and Little Rock is $1,209 (2.17%). Little Rock's median is -17.18% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Conway spans $51,374,Little Rock spans $47,032. Conway has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Conway
P10 (Entry)$34,989
P25$42,175
Median$55,718
P75$71,319
P90 (Top)$86,363
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$40,685
P25$43,810
Median$56,927
P75$70,634
P90 (Top)$87,717

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Conway ($64,117 effective) pays 0.65% more than Little Rock ($63,702 effective).

Conway
Nominal: $55,718
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $64,117
Little Rock
Nominal: $56,927
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $63,702

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Conway if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,117)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,927/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($87,717)
  • Larger job market (1,110 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 Conway grew 14.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.6% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Conway, AR

+14.7%

$47,154 (2024) → $54,074 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+22.6%

$45,050 (2019) → $55,247 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Conway or Little Rock?

Little Rock has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $56,927/year, compared to Conway at $55,718/year — a difference of $1,209 (2.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Conway and Little Rock?

Conway medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $26.79/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $27.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Conway to Little Rock as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Conway and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Conway = $64,117, Little Rock = $63,702), job availability (14 vs 1,110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Conway vs Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $34,989 in Conway and $40,685 in Little Rock. The Little Rock area offers higher starting salaries.
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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