# Histotechnologists

> Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/histotechnologists
- SOC code: 29-2011.04
- 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) | 79 |
| Investigative (I) | 93 |
| Artistic (A) | 5 |
| Social (S) | 32 |
| Enterprising (E) | 1 |
| Conventional (C) | 69 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 78/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 71/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 70/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 69/100)
- Getting Information (importance 68/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 68/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 64/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 64/100)

## Skills

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

## Knowledge

Biology, Production and Processing, Chemistry, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Administrative, Education and Training, Mathematics, Computers and Electronics, Administration and Management

## Also called

Clinical Lab Manager (Clinical Laboratory Manager), Grossing Technician (Grossing Tech), Histocompatibility Technologist, Histologist, Histology Lab Manager (Histology Laboratory Manager), Histology Specialist, Histology Technologist, Histotechnician, Histotechnologist, Mohs Technician (Micrographically Oriented Histographic Surgery Technician)

## 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

- [Histology Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/histology-technicians): $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
- [Microbiologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/microbiologists): $87,990 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.