Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $49,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $49,948/year (≈ $24.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $58,262 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hot Springs, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary for medical and clinical laboratory technologists is $49,948 in 2026, which is significantly below the national median of $68,734. The salary range for this occupation in the city spans from $38,490 at the 10th percentile to $83,391 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a notable potential for wage variation among professionals in this field. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, paints a realistic picture of compensation, taking into account local economic conditions. As a city with a cost of living index of 85.73, medical and clinical laboratory technologist salaries offer a moderate level of purchasing power, suggesting that additional considerations may come into play when assessing overall job satisfaction and financial viability in Hot Springs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,361 | $20.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,948 | $24.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,606 | $30.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,391 | $40.09 |
Median Salary Position
27.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,901 (2026 est.). At $49,948, the local median is 27.33% below the national median of $68,734.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hot Springs Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $49,948/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $53,534 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $68,734 | -27.33% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $49,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.33% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 6.70% below the Arkansas state average of $53,534.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 14.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $49,948 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,262 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,120
2025 BLS Actual
$48,474
2026 Current Est.
$49,948
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,474 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,466 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 15.1% from $42,120 (2019) to $48,474 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,466 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,346 (22.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,490 – $43,361 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,361 – $49,948 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,948 – $62,606 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,606 – $83,391 |
MLS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical and clinical laboratory technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Job Market in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, there are approximately 70 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed, reflecting a steady job market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index lower than the national average, take-home pay for these technologists can go further, although salaries remain below the national median. Employers such as large healthcare organizations and community health centers typically offer more competitive compensation compared to private practices and specialty clinics. The disparity between high and low salaries can often be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the overall benefits structure offered by various employers. To maximize earnings in Hot Springs, prospective technologists should consider acquiring additional certifications, seeking positions at larger healthcare facilities, and being open to shifts that may offer a pay differential.
More salary data for Hot Springs, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $48,474 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Hot Springs metropolitan area. A 3.04% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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