Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Salary in Jonesboro, AR: $66,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical and clinical laboratory technologist in Jonesboro, AR earns a median $66,495/year (≈ $31.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2010). Once you factor in Jonesboro's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $77,431 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.2% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary in Jonesboro is projected to be $66,495, which is slightly below the national median of $68,734. Salaries in this field range from $36,328 at the 10th percentile to $89,726 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for significant earnings variation based on experience, specialization, and employer type. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflects not only local trends but also the broader workforce landscape for laboratory professionals. The salary figures indicate that while compensation is competitive, there remains a gap compared to national averages, suggesting room for growth in the local market for these essential healthcare roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,328 | $17.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,371 | $21.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,495 | $31.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,691 | $36.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,726 | $43.13 |
Median Salary Position
3.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro
In Jonesboro, AR, the medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,398 (2026 est.). At $66,495, the local median is 3.26% below the national median of $68,734.
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At 40 hours/week in Jonesboro: You'd be above the median
How Jonesboro Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist Pay Compares
Jonesboro median: $66,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jonesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $53,538 | +24.20% more |
| National Average | $68,734 | -3.26% less |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $66,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.26% lower than the national median of $68,734 and 24.20% above the Arkansas state average of $53,538.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jonesboro has a cost of living 14.12% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jonesboro, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.876 (below the national average of 100). A medical and clinical laboratory technologist earning $66,495 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,431 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,050
2025 BLS Actual
$64,533
2026 Current Est.
$66,495
2019–2027 Growth
+48.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.04% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,533 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,516 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, the median medical and clinical laboratory technologist salary grew 40.1% from $46,050 (2019) to $64,533 (2025). At a 3.04% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,516 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,466 (48.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro 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) | $36,328 – $45,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,371 – $66,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,495 – $75,691 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,691 – $89,726 |
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 Jonesboro
With around 170 medical and clinical laboratory technologists currently employed in Jonesboro, the local job market shows promise for job seekers in this field. The cost of living index stands at 85.876, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance purchasing power for professionals in this sector. Larger healthcare organizations tend to offer the highest salaries, often coupled with better benefits, compared to smaller private practices and community health centers. Factors such as shift differentials, specialized credentials, and varying employer sizes contribute to the salary spectrum seen in Jonesboro. To maximize pay, professionals should consider obtaining additional certifications and seeking employment with larger healthcare institutions, as these employers often offer more competitive compensation and advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Jonesboro, 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 $64,533 for medical and clinical laboratory technologistsin the Jonesboro 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