How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

561 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Healthcare (clinical) · SOC 29-2010

$62,930US median pay, 2025

+2.7%Projected growth, 2025–35

20,800Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work in: clinical laboratory technologists and technicians

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician	CIP 51.1004	259
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist	CIP 51.1005	237
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions, Other	CIP 51.1099	33
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant	CIP 51.0802	32
Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology	CIP 26.0401	22
Histologic Technician	CIP 51.1008	21
Histologic Technology/Histotechnologist	CIP 51.1007	18
Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist	CIP 51.1002	17
Blood Bank Technology Specialist	CIP 51.1001	12
Hematology Technology/Technician	CIP 51.1003	2
Cytogenetics/Genetics/Clinical Genetics Technology/Technologist	CIP 51.1010	2

See the 561 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do clinical laboratory technologists and technicians make?: The US median is $62,930 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 561 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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