# Cytogenetic Technologists

> Analyze chromosomes or chromosome segments found in biological specimens, such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, solid tumors, and blood to aid in the study, diagnosis, classification, or treatment of inherited or acquired genetic diseases. Conduct analyses through classical cytogenetic, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) techniques.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cytogenetic-technologists
- SOC code: 29-2011.01
- Career family: Healthcare practitioners
- Median annual pay: $62,930 (10th percentile $38,910, 90th percentile $100,990)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +2.7%
- Openings a year: 20,800
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians".

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 72 |
| Investigative (I) | 82 |
| Artistic (A) | 8 |
| Social (S) | 16 |
| Enterprising (E) | 9 |
| Conventional (C) | 67 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 86/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 80/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 79/100)
- Processing Information (importance 78/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 74/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 73/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 73/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 70/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 69/100)
- Getting Information (importance 68/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Speaking, Writing, Science, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Monitoring

## Knowledge

Biology, Chemistry, English Language, Education and Training, Computers and Electronics, Public Safety and Security, Administrative, Mathematics, Medicine and Dentistry, Customer and Personal Service

## Also called

Certified Cytogenetic Technologist, Clinical Cytogeneticist Scientist (CCS), Cytogenetic Technician, Cytogenetics Clinical Laboratory Specialist (CG CLSp), Cytogenetics Specialist, Cytogenetics Technical Specialist, Cytologist, Cytotechnician, Flow Cytometry Specialist, Flow Cytometry Technologist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5110) (CIP 5110, 824 colleges)
- [Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2604) (CIP 2604, 182 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Loma Linda University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/loma-linda-university-1516) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $112,525 | $125,835 | $20,000 |
| [CUNY York College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cuny-york-college-749) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $118,710 | $122,313 | not reported |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $48,738 | $117,816 | not reported |
| [Stony Brook University SUNY](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stony-brook-university-suny-2611) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $115,173 | $110,827 | $19,000 |
| [Mercy College-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/mercy-college-new-york-1643) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $116,152 | $110,519 | $25,000 |
| [California State University-Dominguez Hills](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-dominguez-hills-367) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $46,385 | $109,642 | $21,625 |
| [CUNY Hunter College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cuny-hunter-college-739) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $96,335 | $104,791 | not reported |
| [Farmingdale State College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/farmingdale-state-college-941) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $107,484 | $104,169 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technicians): $62,930 median pay
- [Histotechnologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/histotechnologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Cytotechnologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cytotechnologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Histology Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/histology-technicians): $62,930 median pay
- [Nuclear Medicine Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nuclear-medicine-technologists): $101,370 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.