SOC 29-2011.02

    Cytotechnologists

    Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.

    Median pay
    $62,930
    Growth
    +2.7%
    As fast as average
    Openings a year
    20,800
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections · figures for the broader BLS group "Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians"

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $38,910
    Median
    $62,930
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $100,990
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    332,940 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Cytotechnologists study human cells under microscopes to detect cancer and other diseases. Belonging to a broader field of clinical laboratory professionals, they earn a median annual salary of $62,930.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What cytotechnologists do

    Job Zone 5: Extensive preparation

    Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.

    Most need a graduate degree, such as a master's, PhD, MD or JD.

    What the work is like

    Cytotechnologists spend their days staining, mounting, and examining cellular samples to identify abnormalities, such as hormonal imbalances or early signs of cancer. This investigative work requires high attention to detail, cautiousness, and intellectual curiosity. Day-to-day activities involve gathering information, analyzing data, and documenting findings using computers.

    To perform this job well, individuals must apply knowledge of biology, chemistry, and medicine. They must solve complex problems and make critical decisions while evaluating samples against strict medical standards. Communication is also essential, as these professionals frequently share information with supervisors and peers. Strong reading comprehension, active listening, and time management skills help them keep up with laboratory demands.

    How to get there

    To enter this field, a bachelor's degree is the typical education level required. Many individuals major in clinical or medical laboratory science, allied professions, or cellular biology and anatomical sciences. However, overall preparation is extensive, and most professionals in the field eventually need a graduate degree, such as a master's degree, PhD, MD, or JD.

    In terms of professional credentials, some states list a license for this work. Candidates can also pursue professional certification, such as the Cytologist credential offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for cytotechnologists is $62,930, though this figure represents the broader group of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians. Within this group, the lowest ten percent earn less than $38,910, while the highest ten percent earn more than $100,990.

    Employment for this broader occupational category is projected to grow by 2.7 percent from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. There are approximately 20,800 job openings projected each year in this field, which currently employs 332,940 people.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    82 / 100
    Investigative (I) · strongest
    84 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    2 / 100
    Social (S)
    24 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    14 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    65 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code IRC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Documenting/Recording Information
    86
    Getting Information
    80
    Working with Computers
    80
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    73
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    73
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    72
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    64
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    61
    Processing Information
    59
    Analyzing Data or Information
    58
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Reading Comprehension
    • Active Listening
    • Critical Thinking
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Speaking
    • Active Learning
    • Monitoring
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Time Management

    Knowledge

    • Biology
    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • English Language
    • Administrative
    • Chemistry
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Education and Training
    • Mathematics
    • Law and Government

    Abilities

    • Near Vision
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Written Comprehension
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Flexibility of Closure
    • Visual Color Discrimination

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Perseverance
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Self-Control
    • Cooperation

    Also called

    Certified Cytotechnologist · Cytologist · Cytology Applications Specialist · Cytology Coordinator · Cytology Technical Specialist · Cytopathology Technologist · Cytotechnologist

    Career pathway

    From your interests to cytotechnologists

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Cytotechnologists$62,930 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Loma Linda University logo
      Loma Linda University

      Loma Linda, CA · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $112,525
      4 yrs after
      $125,835
      Median debt
      $20,000
    2. 2CUNY York College logo
      CUNY York College

      Jamaica, NY · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $118,710
      4 yrs after
      $122,313
      Median debt
      Not reported
    3. 3Harvard University logo
      Harvard University

      Cambridge, MA · Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $48,738
      4 yrs after
      $117,816
      Median debt
      Not reported
    4. 4Stony Brook University SUNY logo
      Stony Brook University SUNY

      Stony Brook, NY · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $115,173
      4 yrs after
      $110,827
      Median debt
      $19,000
    5. 5Mercy College-New York logo
      Mercy College-New York

      Dobbs Ferry, NY · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $116,152
      4 yrs after
      $110,519
      Median debt
      $25,000
    6. 6California State University-Dominguez Hills logo
      California State University-Dominguez Hills

      Carson, CA · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $46,385
      4 yrs after
      $109,642
      Median debt
      $21,625
    7. 7
      CUNY Hunter College

      New York, NY · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $96,335
      4 yrs after
      $104,791
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8
      Farmingdale State College

      Farmingdale, NY · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $107,484
      4 yrs after
      $104,169
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What cytotechnologists may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
    • Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist
    • Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions, Other
    • Cytogenetics/Genetics/Clinical Genetics Technology/Technologist
    • Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist
    • Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    11 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

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    Questions about cytotechnologists

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for cytotechnologists?

    People in this profession are also called cytologists, cytopathology technologists, certified cytotechnologists, and cytology technical specialists.

    What certifications are available for this career?

    Professionals can obtain the Cytologist credential from the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Additionally, some states list a license for this work.

    What college majors are related to this field?

    Students typically prepare by majoring in clinical or medical laboratory science and allied professions, or cell and cellular biology and anatomical sciences.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 6, 2026.