Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Clinical Laboratory Technologist or Technician Clinical laboratory technologists typically need a bachelor’s degree. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Technicians sometimes qualify for jobs with an associate’s degree. Some states require technologists and technicians to be licensed. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have certification.
Education
High school students who are interested in becoming a clinical laboratory technologist or technician should take classes in chemistry, biology, and math. Clinical laboratory technologists typically earn a bachelor's degree in medical technology or a related life sciences field, such as biology or chemistry. Bachelor’s degree programs in medical laboratory technology, also known as a medical laboratory scientist degree, include courses in chemistry, biology, and hematology. Accredited programs typically include instruction in laboratory skills, such as safety procedures and lab management, as well as hands-on
Training
in a hospital or other clinical setting. Some laboratory science programs can be completed in 2 years or less and require prior college coursework or a bachelor’s degree. Clinical laboratory technicians typically complete an associate's degree program in clinical laboratory science. The Armed Forces and vocational or technical schools also may offer postsecondary certificate programs for medical laboratory technicians. Accredited technician programs provide skills in basic laboratory testing and, like medical laboratory scientist degree programs, may offer clinical experience. Certain types of technologists, such as cytotechnologists, must attend specialized education programs.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Some states require laboratory personnel to be licensed or registered. Requirements vary by state and specialty. For specific requirements, contact your state department of health or state board of occupational licensing. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. In some states, licensure requires certification. Although certification is not always required to enter the occupation, employers may prefer to hire certified technologists and technicians. Individuals may earn certification as a medical laboratory scientist or medical laboratory technician. Completion of an accredited education program is typically required to sit for a certification exam. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Specialty certification is available in areas such as histology and clinical chemistry for those who meet requirements for additional education and work experience. Advancement Some clinical laboratory technicians advance to technologist positions after gaining experience and additional education.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 20,800 openings for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment An increase in the population of older adults is expected to lead to a greater need for diagnosing medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures. Genetic testing also is being increasingly used to aid the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians will be in demand to perform these laboratory tests and procedures. However, the increasing automation of laboratory workflows may dampen employment demand. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Health technologists and technicians 7% Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians 3% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Do
Clinical laboratory technologists (also known as medical laboratory scientists) and clinical laboratory technicians (also known as medical laboratory technicians) perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Duties
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians typically do the following:
- Test and analyze body fluids, such as blood, urine, and tissue samples
- Operate laboratory equipment, such as microscopes and automated cell counters
- Use automated equipment that analyzes multiple samples at the same time
- Record data from medical tests and enter results into a patient’s medical record
- Discuss results and findings of laboratory tests and procedures with physicians
Both technicians and technologists perform tests and procedures that physicians and surgeons or other healthcare practitioners order. However, technologists perform more complex tests and laboratory procedures than technicians do. For example, technologists may prepare specimens and perform detailed manual tests, whereas technicians perform routine tests that may be more automated. Clinical laboratory technicians usually work under the general supervision of clinical laboratory technologists or laboratory managers.
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians set up, calibrate, and maintain the microscopes, cell counters, and other equipment they use. Maintenance includes troubleshooting, cleaning, and testing sterility to ensure quality control. Technologists have more responsibilities related to overall quality assurance in laboratories than do technicians.
Some technologists specialize in a certain type of test. The following are examples of types of specialized clinical laboratory technologists:
Blood bank technologists collect blood, classify it by type, and prepare blood and its components for transfusions.
Clinical chemistry technologists prepare specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of body fluids.
Cytotechnologists prepare and examine slides of body cells under a microscope. They look for abnormalities that may signal the beginning of a cancerous growth.
Hematology technologists examine blood to identify conditions or diseases, such as blood clots or cancer.
Histotechnologists perform tests on human tissue to identify diseases.
Microbiology technologists examine and identify bacteria and other microorganisms.
Molecular biology technologists perform protein and nucleic acid tests, such as gene sequencing, on cell samples.
Like technologists, clinical laboratory technicians may work in several areas or specialize in one area. For example, histotechnicians are a type of clinical laboratory technician who cut and stain tissue specimens for pathologists—doctors who study the cause and development of diseases.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians held about 343,000 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians were as follows:
| General medical and surgical hospitals; private | 36% |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 19 |
| Offices of physicians | 10 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 4 |
| Other ambulatory healthcare services | 4 |
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work with infectious specimens and other biohazardous substances.
Technologists and technicians may need to stand for long periods.
Injuries and Illnesses
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians may incur injury or illness on the job. For example, they may be subject to repetitive motion injuries because they do the same tasks repeatedly or to illness from working with biohazardous material. To reduce the risk of infection, they follow laboratory safety protocol and wear protective masks, gloves, and goggles.
Work Schedules
Most clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work full time. Because they may work in medical facilities that are always open, such as hospitals, they may have shifts that include nights, weekends, or holidays.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians must examine the specimens they test to determine whether there are abnormalities. Detail oriented. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians must follow instructions and laboratory procedures when performing tests. Dexterity. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians must work carefully when handling needles, specimens, and laboratory equipment. Interpersonal skills. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians may collect blood or tissue samples from patients who feel stressed. They must be supportive and sympathetic in their interactions with patients. Physical stamina. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians may stand for long periods while collecting samples. They may need to lift or turn patients to collect samples for testing.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about clinical laboratory technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.