# Cytotechnologists

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cytotechnologists
- SOC code: 29-2011.02
- 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) | 82 |
| Investigative (I) | 84 |
| Artistic (A) | 2 |
| Social (S) | 24 |
| Enterprising (E) | 14 |
| Conventional (C) | 65 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 86/100)
- Getting Information (importance 80/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 80/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 73/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 73/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 72/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 64/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 61/100)
- Processing Information (importance 59/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 58/100)

## 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

## Also called

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

## 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
- [Cytogenetic Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cytogenetic-technologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Histotechnologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/histotechnologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Histology Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/histology-technicians): $62,930 median pay
- [Physicians, Pathologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/physicians-pathologists): $312,400 median pay
- [Neurodiagnostic Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/neurodiagnostic-technologists): $50,290 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.