# Histology Technicians

> Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/histology-technicians
- SOC code: 29-2012.01
- 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 RIC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 88 |
| Investigative (I) | 73 |
| Artistic (A) | 4 |
| Social (S) | 19 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 67 |

## What you'd do

- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 76/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 73/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 72/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 72/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 72/100)
- Getting Information (importance 69/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 67/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 67/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 65/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 65/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making, Science, Speaking, Coordination, Time Management

## Knowledge

Chemistry, Biology, English Language, Administrative, Administration and Management, Education and Training, Computers and Electronics, Mathematics, Production and Processing, Public Safety and Security

## Also called

Certified Histologic Technician (Certified Histologic Tech), Clinical Histology Technician (Clinical Histology Tech), Histologic Aide, Histologic Technician (HT), Histologist, Histology Assistant, Histology Consultant, Histology Coordinator, Histology Lab Assistant (Histology Laboratory Assistant), Histology Laboratory Aide

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

- [Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5108) (CIP 5108, 1,063 colleges)
- [Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5110) (CIP 5110, 824 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 |
| [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 |
| [Marist College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/marist-college-1597) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $108,720 | $101,370 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Histotechnologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/histotechnologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technicians): $62,930 median pay
- [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
- [Cytotechnologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cytotechnologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Biological Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biological-technicians): $57,510 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.