Med Lab Scientist Salary

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

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

Fayetteville, AR
$53,530
$25.73/hr
Texarkana, AR
$66,740
$32.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARTexarkana, AR
Median Salary$53,530$66,740
Hourly Rate$25.73$32.09
Entry Level (P10)$37,070$44,626
25th Percentile$42,411$52,341
75th Percentile$83,883$85,427
Top Earner (P90)$97,797$103,447
Total Employed5407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($53,530) and Texarkana ($66,740) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.FayettevilleTexarkanaMedian Salary$53,530$66,740Entry Level (P10)$37,070$44,626Top Earner (P90)$97,797$103,447US Median $68,734

Verdict

Texarkana, AR offers better overall compensation for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fayetteville.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Texarkana is $13,210 (24.68%). Texarkana's median is -2.90% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $60,727,Texarkana spans $58,821. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$37,070
P25$42,411
Median$53,530
P75$83,883
P90 (Top)$97,797
Texarkana
P10 (Entry)$44,626
P25$52,341
Median$66,740
P75$85,427
P90 (Top)$103,447

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Texarkana ($76,801 effective) pays 31.07% more than Fayetteville ($58,597 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $53,530
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $58,597
Texarkana
Nominal: $66,740
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $76,801

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Texarkana if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,740/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,447)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,801)
  • 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 Fayetteville grew 13.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.4% growth in Texarkana over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+13.4%

$45,800 (2019) → $51,951 (2025)

Texarkana, AR

+38.4%

$46,809 (2024) → $64,771 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Texarkana has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $66,740/year, compared to Fayetteville at $53,530/year — a difference of $13,210 (24.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Texarkana?

Fayetteville medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $25.73/hr while Texarkana hygienists earn $32.09/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Texarkana. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $58,597, Texarkana = $76,801), job availability (540 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $37,070 in Fayetteville and $44,626 in Texarkana. The Texarkana 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