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
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. PayThe median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $62,930 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians with similar occupations. 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.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $62,930 in May 2025. 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians with similar occupations. 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.
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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians with similar occupations. 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.
What They Do
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Work Environment
Most clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and doctor’s offices. Most work full time.
How to Become a Clinical Laboratory Technologist or Technician
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $62,930 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
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.
Work Environment
Most clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and doctor’s offices. Most work full time.
How to Become a Clinical Laboratory Technologist or Technician
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $62,930 in May 2025.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians with similar occupations.
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.
More Information
Learn more about clinical laboratory technologists and technicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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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.