Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $27.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working in Little Rock, AR runs $27.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,927 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,155 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Little Rock presents a competitive environment for medical and clinical laboratory technologists, with the 2026 median hourly pay sitting at $27.37. This amount lags behind the national median hourly rate of $33.05, indicating a discrepancy that potential job seekers should consider. For part-time professionals working three days a week, or those engaged in per diem roles, this hourly rate translates to modest earnings compared to full-time counterparts. The hourly range in the city varies from a starting rate of $19.56 for entry-level positions to $42.17 for the highest earners, highlighting the potential for substantial income growth in this field. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, gives a clear picture of the current compensation scenario for lab technologists in Little Rock.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.56 | $156.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.06 | $168.49 |
| Median (P50) | $27.37 | $218.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.96 | $271.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.17 | $337.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $27.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.37/hr, a medical and clinical laboratory technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $56,924 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,841. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,094.70 | $4,744 | $56,924 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $656.82 | $2,846 | $34,155 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.88 | $1,897 | $22,770 |
Compare MLS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist (Little Rock) | $27.37 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Cytotechnologist (National Avg) | $40.35 |
| Histotechnologist (National Avg) | $30.58 |
| Microbiologist (National Avg) | $41.56 |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $56,927 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.18% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 6.30% above the Arkansas state average of $53,553.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.37/hr = $34,155/year (purchasing power: $38,220).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,924/year (purchasing power: $63,699).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Little Rock grew 22.6% from $21.66/hr (2019) to $26.56/hr (2025). At a 3.04% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.20/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical and clinical laboratory technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.04% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist in Little Rock
Evaluating the financial viability of part-time roles in Little Rock reveals significant earnings potential. A medical and clinical laboratory technologist working three days a week for 24 hours could take home approximately $34,192 annually, which falls far short of what full-time positions generate. For those willing to work per diem, agency rates often provide a premium of 10-25% over standard pay, elevating earnings in niche situations. Additionally, variability across employer types is noteworthy; larger healthcare organizations may offer different pay scales than private practices or specialty clinics. While some professionals may opt for a lower hourly wage in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiating pay can be advantageous in this market; understanding the local demand for laboratory technologists in Little Rock, AR, can empower candidates to secure better compensation, whether pursuing per diem medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay or full-time employment.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Little Rock in 2026?
How much do part-time medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Little Rock?
Are medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Little Rock paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist make per year in Little Rock?
Do medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Little Rock?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Little Rock. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.04%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical and clinical laboratory technologists (SOC 29-2010).
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