Med Lab Scientist Salary

Fort Smith vs Rogers: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Fort Smith, AR
$49,380
$23.74/hr
Rogers, AR
$54,406
$26.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Smith, ARRogers, AR
Median Salary$49,380$54,406
Hourly Rate$23.74$26.16
Entry Level (P10)$36,710$33,086
25th Percentile$40,783$40,373
75th Percentile$70,023$69,640
Top Earner (P90)$86,067$84,330
Total Employed23011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Smith ($49,380) and Rogers ($54,406) medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries.Fort SmithRogersMedian Salary$49,380$54,406Entry Level (P10)$36,710$33,086Top Earner (P90)$86,067$84,330US Median $68,734

Verdict

Fort Smith and Rogers are closely matched on overall medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Fort Smith and Rogers is $5,026 (10.18%). Rogers's median is -20.85% compared to the US national median of $68,734.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Smith spans $49,357,Rogers spans $51,244. Rogers has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Fort Smith
P10 (Entry)$36,710
P25$40,783
Median$49,380
P75$70,023
P90 (Top)$86,067
Rogers
P10 (Entry)$33,086
P25$40,373
Median$54,406
P75$69,640
P90 (Top)$84,330

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rogers ($62,608 effective) pays 8.90% more than Fort Smith ($57,493 effective).

Fort Smith
Nominal: $49,380
CoL Index: 85.888
Adjusted: $57,493
Rogers
Nominal: $54,406
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $62,608

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Smith if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($86,067)
  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Rogers if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,406/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,608)
  • 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 Fort Smith grew 21.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.8% growth in Rogers over the same period.

Fort Smith, AR

+21.0%

$39,620 (2019) → $47,923 (2025)

Rogers, AR

+7.8%

$48,966 (2024) → $52,801 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical and clinical laboratory technologists more: Fort Smith or Rogers?

Rogers has a higher median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary at $54,406/year, compared to Fort Smith at $49,380/year — a difference of $5,026 (10.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Smith and Rogers?

Fort Smith medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $23.74/hr while Rogers hygienists earn $26.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Smith to Rogers as a medical and clinical laboratory technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Smith and Rogers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Smith = $57,493, Rogers = $62,608), job availability (230 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn in Fort Smith vs Rogers?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn $36,710 in Fort Smith and $33,086 in Rogers. The Fort Smith 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