SOC 29-2011.00

    Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

    Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

    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

    Medical and clinical laboratory technologists perform intricate laboratory tests to help diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. The median annual pay for these professionals, as part of a broader clinical laboratory group, is $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 medical and clinical laboratory technologists do

    Job Zone 4: Considerable preparation

    Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

    Most need a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.

    What the work is like

    These professionals spend their days performing complex medical tests to analyze biological specimens. They evaluate information to ensure compliance with strict standards, inspect lab equipment, and process data using computers. The role requires strong investigative interests, as technologists must make critical decisions, solve complex problems, and analyze data to assist in patient care.

    Success in this field depends on key skills like critical thinking, science, quality control analysis, and active listening. Technologists must apply knowledge of biology, chemistry, medicine, and mathematics daily. Because accuracy is vital, workers must exhibit attention to detail, dependability, cautiousness, and high stress tolerance. They also document their findings and communicate regularly with supervisors and peers to share test results.

    How to get there

    Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree and considerable preparation, including several years of related experience. Students often major in clinical or medical laboratory science and research, allied professions, or cellular biology and anatomical sciences.

    Depending on the state, a professional license may be required to practice. Candidates can also pursue various certifications to show their expertise. Examples of these credentials include the Medical Laboratory Scientist, Cytologist, Histotechnologist, or Diplomate in Laboratory Management from the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Other options include the Certified Laboratory Consultant or Medical Laboratory Assistant credentials from the American Medical Technologists.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for these technologists is $62,930, though the lowest 10% earn less than $38,910 and the highest 10% earn more than $100,990. These salary figures represent the broader clinical laboratory technologists and technicians group. There are 332,940 people employed in this field. Employment is projected to grow by 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. About 20,800 job openings are expected each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    80 / 100
    Investigative (I) · strongest
    86 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    2 / 100
    Social (S)
    30 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    9 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    67 / 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

    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    96
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    96
    Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    94
    Analyzing Data or Information
    91
    Processing Information
    89
    Documenting/Recording Information
    89
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    87
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    87
    Working with Computers
    86
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    86
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Critical Thinking
    • Science
    • Active Listening
    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Monitoring
    • Active Learning
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Operation and Control

    Knowledge

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

    Abilities

    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Near Vision
    • Information Ordering
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Written Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Category Flexibility
    • Oral Expression
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    Work styles

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

    Also called

    Biochemistry Technologist · Blood Bank Laboratory Technologist · Blood Bank Medical Technologist · Blood Bank Technologist · Cath Lab Technologist (Catheterization Laboratory Technologist) · Chemistry Technologist · Clinical Chemist · Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) · Clinical Laboratory Technologist · Clinical Research Associate

    Career pathway

    From your interests to medical and clinical laboratory technologists

    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

      • Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists$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 medical and clinical laboratory technologists 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

    18 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 9, 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.

    All careers

    Questions about medical and clinical laboratory technologists

    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 college majors are recommended for this career?

    Students preparing for this field typically major in clinical or medical laboratory science and research, allied professions, or cellular biology and anatomical sciences. These programs provide the necessary foundation in biology, chemistry, and laboratory procedures.

    Are there professional certifications available for laboratory technologists?

    Yes, several certifications are available through professional organizations. These include the Medical Laboratory Scientist and Cytologist credentials from the American Society for Clinical Pathology, as well as the Certified Laboratory Consultant credential from the American Medical Technologists.

    How fast is employment in this field expected to grow?

    Employment is projected to increase by 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, which is as fast as the average growth rate for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 20,800 job openings each year.

    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 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 6, 2026.