Healthcare Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median medical laboratory technician salary in Fort Smith, AR is $45,084 per year, which is 22% below the national median and 4.9% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$45,084
vs State Avg
$-2,312
vs National
$-12,716
Cost of Living
80%

Medical Laboratory Technician Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median medical laboratory technician salary of $45,084, which is $2,312 below the Arkansas state average of $47,396. Compared to the national median of $57,800, Fort Smith pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fort Smith's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $45,084 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $56,355 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for medical laboratory technicians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for medical laboratory technicians in Fort Smith spans from $29,640 at the 10th percentile to $66,300 at the 90th percentile — a $36,660 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $31,200, while senior medical laboratory technicians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $63,960. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level medical laboratory technician earns around $31,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $63,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$31,200
$-8,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$45,240
$-12,760 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$63,960
$-18,040 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $29,640
25th Percentile $35,880
Median (50th) $45,084
75th Percentile $56,160
90th Percentile $66,300

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$49,708
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$49,130
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$47,396
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$46,240
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Medical Laboratory Technician in Fort Smith

Education

Most medical laboratory technician positions require a associate's degree. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Lab TechniquesHematologyMicrobiologyQuality ControlEquipment OperationData Entry

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical laboratory technician employment is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open medical laboratory technician positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median medical laboratory technician salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $45,084 per year, which is 22% below the national median of $57,800. Salaries range from $29,640 (10th percentile) to $66,300 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $45,084, a medical laboratory technician in Fort Smith earns approximately $22 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for medical laboratory technician pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median medical laboratory technician salary of $45,084 is 4.9% below the Arkansas state average of $47,396. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
Fort Smith has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a medical laboratory technician salary of $45,084 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical laboratory technician in Fort Smith? ▼
Most medical laboratory technician positions in Fort Smith require a associate's degree. Key skills include Lab Techniques, Hematology, Microbiology, Quality Control. The job market is projected to grow 7% nationally over the next decade.