PermanentPosted yesterday
Medical Laboratory Scientist
CommonSpirit Health · Hot Springs, AR
$27.36–$40.70/ hour
New this week
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Fort Smith, AR
The median medical laboratory scientist pay in the Fort Smith area is $22.74 per hour ($47,300 a year), with the typical range running from $17.31 to $32.63. That ranks 303rd of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 239th of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith. The free report below lists employers near Fort Smith and what they pay.
- $22.74median pay per hour, Fort Smith
- $17–$33typical range per hour
- 210employed in the metro area
- 86cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Fort Smith, AR
The metro median is 6% below the Arkansas statewide median of $24.27 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 210 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Fort Smith metro area, 2.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.97).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $16.30 | $33,900 | 45% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $17.31 | $36,000 | 42% below U.S. median |
| Median | $22.74 | $47,300 | 24% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $32.63 | $67,870 | 10% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $36.52 | $75,960 | 23% above U.S. median |
How Fort Smith ranks
- 303rd of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 239th of 317 after adjusting for local prices
- 4th of 5 Arkansas metro areas
BLS does not publish a separate figure for medical laboratory scientist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2010), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Fort Smith
- Overall prices in Fort Smith run 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 47% below the U.S. average (index 53.4).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $22.74 median hour buys what $26.48 buys at the national price level, 11% below the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Fort Smith Medical Laboratory Scientist pay report
Named employers near Fort Smith, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Fort Smith paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$819
- Per year: $40,932
- Per month: $3,411
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Fort Smith metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Fort Smith
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel medical laboratory scientist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Open Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Arkansas
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Fort Smith as they open.
For youUpdated weekly
20+ more Medical Laboratory Scientist roles for you in Arkansas
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Hospitals in Fort Smith
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical laboratory scientists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Hospital Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Baptist Health - Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR | Acute care | Nonprofit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | 51 mi | $24.52/hr | 103,134 |
| Springdale, AR | 59 mi | $24.52/hr | 89,368 |
| Rogers, AR | 68 mi | $24.52/hr | 75,639 |
| Bentonville, AR | 70 mi | $24.52/hr | 61,791 |
| Broken Arrow, OK | 92 mi | $25.20/hr | 122,756 |
| Tulsa, OK | 101 mi | $25.20/hr | 415,154 |
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Arkansas · Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Arkansas
Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arkansas requires for your role with the Arkansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Arkansas taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Fort Smith
Fort Smith city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Fort Smith, AR?
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Fort Smith metro area have a median pay of $22.74 per hour, about $47,300 a year. The middle half earn between $17.31 and $32.63 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Fort Smith a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?
Fort Smith ranks 239th of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 303rd of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 14% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Fort Smith?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith, led by Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Arkansas license to work in Fort Smith as a medical laboratory scientist?
Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arkansas requires for your role with the Arkansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Fort Smith?
The federal per diem benchmark in Fort Smith is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place medical laboratory scientists in Fort Smith?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Fort Smith and across Arkansas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Fort Smith.
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What do employers near Fort Smith pay medical laboratory scientists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in Arkansas, sent free by email
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Lab Scientist pay reportFort Smith, AR · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- St. Vincent Medical CenterLittle Rock, AR · 2 wage offers$31.82/ hr$32–$32
- Guardian Healthcare Providers, Inc.North Little Rock, AR · 3 wage offers$30.68/ hr$30–$31
- Jefferson Hospital Association, Inc.Pine Bluff, AR · 3 wage offers$29.93/ hr$29–$37
- Mississippi County Hospital SystemBlytheville, AR · 4 wage offers$29.73/ hr$29–$30
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
Low$26Median$29.54High$31
46 employer-reported wage offers for Lab Scientist in federal filings in Arkansas, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 1 Lab Scientist roles
- Medical Laboratory ScientistPermanent$27.36–$40.70/ hour
Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.