Your Guide to the Top 10 Clinical Lab Jobs in South Carolina (+ Salaries)

Unless otherwise noted, all labor market data in this article is sourced from Lightcast/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, current as of April 2026.

Explore Clinical Laboratory Careers in South Carolina

Are you interested in a career that combines science, technology, and healthcare to make a real impact on patient diagnoses and treatment? The clinical laboratory field in South Carolina is a vital and growing sector, projected to expand by 1.5%. With over 1,700 active job postings across the state and median salaries reaching up to $79,339, these roles offer stable and rewarding opportunities for those with a keen eye for detail and a passion for scientific discovery.

From analyzing intricate cell structures to ensuring safe blood transfusions, clinical laboratory professionals are the unsung heroes of modern medicine. Discover the top 10 clinical lab jobs in South Carolina that you can pursue.

1. Clinical Laboratory Scientist

A Clinical Laboratory Scientist analyzes samples of body fluids, tissues, and other substances for diagnostic and research purposes within a medical laboratory or healthcare facility. You will perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriologic tests, looking for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms, and testing for drug levels in the blood to monitor patient responses to treatment. This role typically requires a Bachelor’s degree.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $60,777, with a median salary of $79,339, and top earners can reach $108,250.
Demand: Medium, with 463 active postings in South Carolina.
Top Skills: Quality Control, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Communication, Operations, Leadership.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Blood Banking, Biology, Clinical Laboratory Science.
Certifications that Boost Pay: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification (held by 45% of professionals), American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certification (24%), Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (12%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Medical University of South Carolina, HCA Healthcare, Norman Regional Hospital, MLee Healthcare Staffing and Recruiting, McLeod Health.
Career Advancement: You could advance to roles like Cytogenetic Technologist / Cytotechnologist (potentially earning an additional $13,548), Clinical Laboratory Manager (+$10,894), or Director of Laboratory Services (+$53,579).

2. Cytogenetic Technologist / Cytotechnologist

A Cytogenetic Technologist or Cytotechnologist works in a medical laboratory, using microscopes to meticulously examine cells for signs of abnormalities that could indicate cancerous growth or genetic disorders. This role also typically requires a Bachelor’s degree.

Salary Range: Entry-level salaries begin around $47,411, with a median of $68,284, and top professionals can earn up to $120,877.
Demand: Medium, with 231 active postings in South Carolina.
Top Skills: Quality Control, Communication, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Coordinating, Customer Service.
Certifications that Boost Pay: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification (25%), Cytologist (CT-ASCP) (5%), Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (5%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Skyline Med Staff, Medical University of South Carolina, Assured Nursing, Berkeley County School District.
Career Advancement: Potential paths include Director of Laboratory Services (potentially earning an additional $40,031), Embryologist (+$12,186), or Ultrasound Technologist / Sonographer (+$11,512).

3. Blood Bank Technologist

A Blood Bank Technologist works within hospitals or clinics to screen and draw blood from patients. You will collect, label, and prepare blood, plasma, and other components for transfusions, store blood draws, and maintain meticulous documentation and records. A key part of the role involves testing blood for viruses, blood group antigens, compatibility, and antibody identification. This position requires a Bachelor’s degree.

Salary Range: Starting salaries are around $53,200, with a median of $72,671, and top earners can reach $101,939.
Demand: Low, with 14 active postings in South Carolina.
Top Skills: Quality Control, Communication, Confidentiality, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Coordinating.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Blood Banking.
Certifications that Boost Pay: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification (43%), American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certification (29%), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT-ASCP) (14%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: K&A Recruiting, Premier Health Partners, Soliant Health, Hired By Matrix, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.
Career Advancement: Possible advancements include Director of Laboratory Services (potentially earning an additional $48,758), Embryologist (+$20,913), or Toxicologist (+$36,183).

4. Histotechnologist / Histotechnician

A Histotechnologist or Histotechnician works in a medical laboratory, preparing samples of human or animal tissue for examination under a microscope. Your precise work is crucial for pathologists to make accurate diagnoses. A Bachelor’s degree is typically required for this role.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions offer around $53,729, with a median salary of $75,433, and top professionals can earn up to $98,017.
Demand: Medium, with 207 active postings in South Carolina.
Top Skills: Quality Control, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Communication, Operations, Detail Oriented.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Surgical Pathology, Anatomical Pathology, Immunofluorescence.
Certifications that Boost Pay: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification (40%), Certified Histotechnician (HT-ASCP) (23%), Certified Histotechnologist (HTL-ASCP) (16%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: K&A Recruiting, Medical University of South Carolina, Lexington Medical Center, HCA Healthcare, The Judge Group.
Career Advancement: You could move into roles such as Pathology Technologist (potentially earning an additional $13,450), Cytogenetic Technologist / Cytotechnologist (+$24,789), or Clinical Laboratory Manager (+$22,135).

5. Sleep Laboratory Technologist

A Sleep Laboratory Technologist works within sleep clinics, assisting patients with known or suspected sleep disorders. You will schedule and coordinate patient assessment, testing, results reporting, treatment, and follow-up, performing polysomnographic testing. You are also responsible for routine maintenance and calibration of test equipment to ensure proper operating conditions. A high school diploma or GED is the typical education requirement.

Salary Range: Starting salaries are around $55,065, with a median of $66,220, and top earners can reach $92,240.
Demand: Low, with 46 active postings in South Carolina.
Top Skills: Lifting Ability, Communication, Needs Assessment, Operations, Coordinating.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Parasomnia, Respiratory Care, Sleep Patterns.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (50%), Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (41%), American Red Cross CPR Certification (26%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Medical University of South Carolina, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Alois Healthcare, MedPro Healthcare Staffing, Anmed Gmbh.
Career Advancement: Potential career paths include Respiratory Therapist (potentially earning an additional $11,361), Neurodiagnostic Technician / Technologist (+$9,439), or EKG Technician (+$33,029).

6. Pathology Technologist

A Pathology Technologist works in a laboratory or healthcare facility, conducting laboratory examinations of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes to determine the causes and effects of diseases. You will perform various complex clinical laboratory tests, calibrate instruments, report test results, and conduct quality controls, while also meeting legally required documentation standards and policies. This role generally requires a Bachelor’s degree.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions offer around $53,316, with a median salary of $67,825, and top professionals can earn up to $90,609.
Demand: Low, with 5 active postings in South Carolina.
Top Skills: Communication, English Language, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Written English, Quality Control.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Anatomical Pathology, Chemistry, Clinical Laboratory Science.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Certified Loss Control Specialist (40%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: United States Department of Veterans Affairs, McLeod Health, HCA Healthcare.
Career Advancement: Possible advancements include Cytogenetic Technologist / Cytotechnologist (potentially earning an additional $11,339), Pathologist (+$133,424), or Director of Laboratory Services (+$51,370).

7. Sleep Laboratory Technician

A Sleep Laboratory Technician, also known as a polysomnographic technician, performs tests and collects data on patients with sleep disorders. You are responsible for explaining impending sleep tests and procedures to patients, preparing equipment, recording activities, and analyzing results, all under the advisement of a clinical director and/or sleep technologist. A high school diploma or GED is typically sufficient for this role.

Salary Range: Starting salaries are around $49,558, with a median of $72,638, and top earners can reach $85,692.
Demand: Medium, with 111 active postings in South Carolina.
Top Skills: Computer Literacy, Interpersonal Communications, Customer Service, Spreadsheets, Word Processing.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Parasomnia, Electrooculography, Pulmonology.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (45%), Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (45%), Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) (27%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Prisma Health, Medical University of South Carolina, The Blood Connection, Incorporated, Fusion Medical Staffing, State of South Carolina.
Career Advancement: Potential career paths include Sleep Laboratory Technologist (potentially earning an additional $13,371), Respiratory Therapist (+$24,732), or Neurodiagnostic Technician / Technologist (+$22,810).

8. Clinical Laboratory Technician

A Clinical Laboratory Technician, in a clinical laboratory setting, assists with the performance of laboratory tests in toxicology, chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology laboratories, which provide crucial information for medical patient diagnosis and treatment. You will set up, operate, and maintain laboratory equipment, make observations, calculate and record results, and assist with blood bank inventories. A high school diploma or GED is generally required.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $40,463, with a median salary of $49,730, and top earners can reach $81,358.
Demand: Low, with 71 active postings in South Carolina.
Top Skills: Customer Service, Confidentiality, Operations, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Communication.
Certifications that Boost Pay: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification (7%), American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certification (6%), Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification (3%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Grifols, Octapharma, Rcm Health Care Services, Phi Life Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina.
Career Advancement: You could advance to roles such as Clinical Laboratory Scientist (potentially earning an additional $23,396), Clinical Laboratory Manager (+$34,290), or Cytogenetic Technologist / Cytotechnologist (+$36,944).

9. Medical Laboratory Technician

A Medical Laboratory Technician assists with the performance of laboratory tests in toxicology, chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology laboratories, providing essential information for medical diagnosis and treatment. You will set up, operate, and maintain laboratory equipment, make observations, calculate and record results, and assist with blood bank inventories. An Associate’s degree is typically required for this role.

Salary Range: Starting salaries are around $43,598, with a median of $53,108, and top earners can reach $62,861.
Demand: Medium, with 519 active postings in South Carolina.
Top Skills: Quality Control, Communication, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Computer Literacy, Customer Service.
Certifications that Boost Pay: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification (52%), American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certification (35%), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT-ASCP) (14%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Prisma Health, Medical University of South Carolina, HCA Healthcare, Tidelands Health, Lexington Medical Center.
Career Advancement: Possible advancements include Clinical Laboratory Scientist (potentially earning an additional $19,613), Blood Bank Technologist (+$24,434), or Cytogenetic Technologist / Cytotechnologist (+$33,161).

10. Research Laboratory Technician

A Research Laboratory Technician performs routine tests on samples of body fluids, tissues, and other substances for medical and other scientific research purposes. You will work under the supervision of a laboratory technologist in a laboratory or healthcare facility, contributing to scientific discovery and advancements. This role typically requires a Bachelor’s degree.

Salary Range: Entry-level positions offer around $42,430, with a median salary of $51,926, and top professionals can earn up to $65,764.
Demand: Low, with 58 active postings in South Carolina.
Top Skills: Research, Operations, Communication, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Detail Oriented.
Salary-Boosting Skills: Tissue Culture, Genotyping, Molecular Cloning.
Certifications that Boost Pay: Valid Driver’s License (5%), Certified Loss Control Specialist (2%), Security Clearance (2%).
Top Employers in South Carolina: Clemson University, University of Missouri, University of South Carolina, Sibelco Na, Kelly Services.
Career Advancement: You could advance to roles such as Assay Development Scientist (potentially earning an additional $61,121), Microbiologist (+$20,344), or Chemistry Laboratory Supervisor (+$31,001).

Ready to Discover Your Path in Clinical Lab Science?

The clinical laboratory field offers a diverse range of roles crucial to healthcare. If you’re ready to explore these and other exciting career opportunities, Tallo can connect you with colleges, scholarships, and companies that match your interests and talents. Create a free profile on Tallo.com today to start building your future!