Cytotechnologists: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Cytotechnologists prepare slides of body cells and examine these cells under a microscope for abnormalities that may signal the beginning of a cancerous growth.
- Education Required
- An entry-level job for technologists usually requires a bachelor's degree in medical technology or life sciences.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 13% (Faster than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- After additional education, work experience, or certification, technologists and technicians may specialize in one of many areas of laboratory science, such as immunology, histotechnology, or clinical chemistry. Some medical laboratory technicians advance to technologist positions after gaining experience and additional education. Some colleges have bachelors degree programs for medical laboratory technicians to become technologists (often referred to as MLT to MLS programs).
- Licenses/Certifications
- Some states require laboratory personnel to be licensed. Requirements vary by state and specialty. For specific requirements, contact state departments of health, state boards of occupational licensing, or visit The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.
- Median pay: How much do Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians make?
- $50,930 Annual Salary
- $24.48 per hour
Careers for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
- Biochemistry technologists
- Blood bank laboratory technicians
- Blood bank laboratory technologists
- Blood bank technologists
- Chief medical technologists
- Clinical chemistry technologists
- Clinical laboratory technicians
- Clinical laboratory technologists
- Cytogenetic technologists
- Cytologists
- Hematology technicians
- Hemodialysis technicians
- Histologic aides
- Histologic technicians
- Histologist technologists
- Histology technicians
- Histotechnicians
- Histotechnologists
- Immunohematologists
- Immunohematology technologists
- Immunology technologists
- Medical laboratory scientists
- Medical laboratory technicians
- Medical laboratory technologists
- Microbiology technologists
- Molecular biology technologists
- Neurology technicians
- Pathology laboratory technologists
- Pathology technicians
- Serology technicians
- Tissue technologists
Similar Careers
Higher Paid
More Education
- Biological Technicians
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists and Materials Scientists
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Including Vascular Technologists
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
- Forensic Science Technicians
- Medical Equipment Repairers
- Medical Scientists
- Microbiologists
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Phlebotomists
- Surgical Technologists
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians