Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Arkansas: $55,682 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay sits at $55,682/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2010. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,076 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Texarkana ($64,771), Jonesboro ($64,533), Little Rock ($55,247).
The salaries for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Arkansas remain below the national average. In 2026, the average median salary in the state is projected to be $55,682, which is 19.0% lower than the national median of $68,734. Salary variations across cities reflect differences in demand and cost of living. Texarkana leads with a salary of $66,740, while Fort Smith has the lowest at $49,380, indicating a gap of $17,360. This disparity can be attributed to regional healthcare needs, facility types, and local economies. Arkansas requires medical technologists to hold proper state licenses, which can influence both the workforce supply and salary levels. The state's scope of practice laws may also affect job responsibilities and salary ranges. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.04%, the job market for laboratory technologists in Arkansas is expected to expand, driven by an increasing need for healthcare services and advancements in medical technology. The top five metropolitan areas for employment opportunities in 2026 are Texarkana ($66,740), Jonesboro ($66,495), Little Rock ($56,927), North Little Rock ($56,087), and Conway ($55,718), indicating a concentration of jobs in select urban areas.
Arkansas Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $30,672 (lowest entry-level) to $103,447 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas medical and clinical laboratory technologists earn 18.99% less than the national median ($-13,052/year difference).
Arkansas Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist salaries in Arkansas range from $38,616 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,741 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $55,682. The Arkansas median is $13,052 below the US national median of $68,734. The average hourly rate is $26.77/hr. Approximately 2,251 medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,782
2025 BLS Actual
$54,039
2026 Current Est.
$55,682
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,782 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,987 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,091 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,843 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,682 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,375 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 20.7% from $44,782 (2019) to $54,039 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,375 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,593 (28.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Smith | $49,380 |
| Van Buren | $49,689 |
| Hot Springs | $49,948 |
| Bryant | $50,582 |
| Searcy | $50,965 |
Best Value Cities for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | $66,495 | 85.876 | $77,431 |
| Texarkana | $66,740 | 86.9 | $76,801 |
| North Little Rock | $56,087 | 86.9 | $64,542 |
| Conway | $55,718 | 86.9 | $64,117 |
| Little Rock | $56,927 | 89.364 | $63,702 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,616 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $55,682 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,741 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texarkana | $66,740 |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $66,495 |
| 3 | Little Rock | $56,927 |
| 4 | North Little Rock | $56,087 |
| 5 | Conway | $55,718 |
| 6 | Rogers | $54,406 |
| 7 | Springdale | $54,368 |
| 8 | Fayetteville | $53,530 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | $53,144 |
| 10 | Bentonville | $52,882 |
| 11 | Benton | $52,441 |
| 12 | Paragould | $52,292 |
| 13 | Pine Bluff | $52,251 |
| 14 | Sherwood | $52,009 |
| 15 | Russellville | $51,735 |
| 16 | Cabot | $51,502 |
| 17 | Searcy | $50,965 |
| 18 | Bryant | $50,582 |
| 19 | Hot Springs | $49,948 |
| 20 | Van Buren | $49,689 |
| 21 | Fort Smith | $49,380 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical and clinical laboratory technologist hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical and clinical laboratory technologists.
Explore More Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical and clinical laboratory technologists make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical and clinical laboratory technologists in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas medical and clinical laboratory technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Arkansas?
How many medical and clinical laboratory technologists are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for medical and clinical laboratory technologists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical and clinical laboratory technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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