Published May 28, 2026 7 min read
Unless otherwise noted, salary and labor market data sourced from Lightcast/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2026. Salaries reflect US national wage distributions.
Exploring career paths in the medical field can lead to rewarding and impactful roles, especially in clinical laboratory technology. Understanding the earning potential is a key factor for many students and young adults. Median wages in this field span from approximately $49,730 to over $81,846 annually, with top earners reaching over $124,000, showcasing a significant range of financial opportunities.
1. Cytogenetic Technologist / Cytotechnologist
Salary: Median: $81,846 | Entry: $51,806 | Top: $124,103
What you’d do day-to-day: As a Cytogenetic Technologist or Cytotechnologist, you’d work in a medical laboratory, meticulously examining cells under microscopes to identify abnormalities that might indicate cancerous growth. Your daily tasks involve applying quality control and assurance protocols, troubleshooting any issues that arise, and maintaining detail-oriented operations to ensure accurate diagnostic information while communicating findings.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Quality Control, Communication, Quality Assurance, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Problem Solving, Customer Service, Detail Oriented, Operations
Top employers: Aya Healthcare, K&A Recruiting, Triage Staffing, Quest Diagnostics, Fusion Medical Staffing
Top certifications: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification, Cytologist (CT-ASCP), Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
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2. Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Salary: Median: $78,269 | Entry: $60,134 | Top: $112,319
What you’d do day-to-day: In this role, you’d analyze various samples like body fluids, tissues, and other substances within a medical laboratory for diagnostic and research purposes. You’d perform complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriologic tests, looking for microorganisms, and testing for drug levels to monitor patient responses to treatment, often involving troubleshooting and leadership in operations.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Quality Control, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Communication, Leadership, Quality Assurance, Problem Solving, Customer Service, Operations
Top certifications: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification, American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certification, Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Top employers: Norman Regional Hospital, K&A Recruiting, Labcorp, HCA Healthcare, AMN Healthcare
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3. Blood Bank Technologist
Salary: Median: $72,671 | Entry: $53,200 | Top: $101,939
What you’d do day-to-day: You would work in hospitals or clinics, screening and drawing blood from patients. Your responsibilities include collecting, labeling, and preparing blood, plasma, and other components for transfusions, as well as storing blood draws and maintaining meticulous documentation. You’d also test blood for viruses, blood group antigens, compatibility, and antibody identification, ensuring quality control and effective operations.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Quality Control, Communication, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Quality Assurance, Operations, Customer Service, Problem Solving, Management
Top certifications: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification, American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certification, Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS-ASCP)
Top employers: Labcorp, K&A Recruiting, American Red Cross, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Prime Healthcare Services
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4. Sleep Laboratory Technologist
Salary: Median: $66,220 | Entry: $55,065 | Top: $92,240
What you’d do day-to-day: Working in sleep clinics, you’d assist patients with known or suspected sleep disorders. Your tasks involve scheduling and coordinating patient assessments, testing, results reporting, treatment, and follow-up. You’d perform polysomnographic testing and ensure proper operating condition by conducting routine maintenance and calibration of test equipment, utilizing your communication and critical thinking skills.
Typical education: High school or GED
Top skills: Communication, Confidentiality, Enthusiasm, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Critical Thinking, Visual Acuity, Computer Literacy, Customer Service
Top certifications: Registered Polysomnographic Technologist, Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
Top employers: Avera Health, CHRISTUS Health, Alois Healthcare, Williamson Health Rehabilitation Limited, AMN Healthcare
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5. Pathology Technologist
Salary: Median: $67,825 | Entry: $53,316 | Top: $90,609
What you’d do day-to-day: As a Pathology Technologist, you’d work in a laboratory or healthcare facility, conducting detailed laboratory examinations of body tissue samples for diagnostic or forensic purposes to determine disease causes and effects. You’d perform various complex clinical laboratory tests, calibrate instruments, report test results, and conduct quality controls, ensuring adherence to legal documentation standards and policies through effective communication and research.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Research, English Language, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Written English, Communication, Operations
Top certifications: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification, Certified Loss Control Specialist, Board Certified/Board Eligible
Top employers: United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, City of New York, Northwell Health, Memorial Hermann
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6. Histotechnologist / Histotechnician
Salary: Median: $66,797 | Entry: $48,976 | Top: $89,652
What you’d do day-to-day: In a medical laboratory, you’d be responsible for preparing samples of human or animal tissue for microscopic examination. This involves meticulous detail-oriented work, applying quality control and assurance measures, and troubleshooting any issues that arise during the preparation process to ensure accurate diagnostic results.
Typical education: Associate’s degree
Top skills: Quality Control, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Communication, Detail Oriented, Quality Assurance, Problem Solving, Research, Packaging And Labeling
Top certifications: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification, Certified Histotechnician (HT-ASCP), Certified Histotechnologist (HTL-ASCP)
Top employers: K&A Recruiting, Sonic Healthcare USA, HCA Healthcare, Quest Diagnostics, AMN Healthcare
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7. Sleep Laboratory Technician
Salary: Median: $66,143 | Entry: $49,347 | Top: $88,621
What you’d do day-to-day: As a Sleep Laboratory Technician, also known as a polysomnographic technician, you’d perform tests and collect data on patients with sleep disorders. Your role involves explaining impending sleep tests and procedures to patients, preparing equipment, recording activities, and analyzing results under the guidance of a clinical director or sleep technologist, requiring strong communication and computer literacy.
Typical education: High school or GED
Top skills: Communication, Customer Service, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Computer Literacy, Interpersonal Communications, Critical Thinking, Management, Detail Oriented
Top certifications: Registered Polysomnographic Technologist, Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
Top employers: Fusion Medical Staffing, CHRISTUS Health, OneStaff Medical, Anders Group, Baylor Scott & White Health
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8. Medical Laboratory Technician
Salary: Median: $53,544 | Entry: $42,733 | Top: $78,422
What you’d do day-to-day: You’d assist in performing laboratory tests across various departments like toxicology, chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology to provide information for patient diagnosis and treatment. This involves setting up, operating, and maintaining laboratory equipment, making observations, and accurately calculating and recording results. You would also receive, type, test, and record blood bank inventories, applying quality control and problem-solving skills.
Typical education: Associate’s degree
Top skills: Quality Control, Communication, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Customer Service, Detail Oriented, Management, Problem Solving, Operations
Top certifications: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification, American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certification, Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT-ASCP)
Top employers: Geisinger Health System, HCA Healthcare, Jt Medstaff, Quest Diagnostics, AMN Healthcare
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9. Laboratory Analyst
Salary: Median: $53,372 | Entry: $43,328 | Top: $70,584
What you’d do day-to-day: As a Laboratory Analyst, you’d perform various tasks in a laboratory setting, including conducting tests and meticulously analyzing the results. Your responsibilities also encompass maintaining work spaces, preparing experiments, and ensuring smooth operations through multitasking and problem-solving, often utilizing communication and Microsoft Office skills.
Typical education: Bachelor’s degree
Top skills: Communication, Quality Control, Detail Oriented, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Operations, Multitasking, Problem Solving, Microsoft Office
Top certifications: Valid Driver’s License, American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification, Wastewater Operator Certification
Top employers: Eurofins, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Actalent, Institute For Environmental Health, Kelly Services
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10. Clinical Laboratory Technician
Salary: Median: $49,730 | Entry: $40,463 | Top: $81,358
What you’d do day-to-day: In a clinical laboratory, you’d assist with performing laboratory tests across toxicology, chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology, contributing vital information for medical patient diagnosis and treatment. You would be responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining laboratory equipment, making observations, calculating, and recording results, and handling blood bank inventories with keen attention to detail and confidentiality.
Typical education: High school or GED
Top skills: Customer Service, Communication, Quality Control, Confidentiality, Troubleshooting (Problem Solving), Operations, Organizational Skills, Detail Oriented
Top certifications: American Society For Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification, American Medical Technologists (AMT) Certification, Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Top employers: Grifols, Octapharma, Labcorp, Rcm Health Care Services, Actalent
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These high-paying careers in clinical laboratory technology offer diverse opportunities to contribute to healthcare. If you’re passionate about science, diagnostics, and making a real difference in patient care, exploring these paths could be your next step. Discover how your skills and interests align with these vital roles.
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