Medical and clinical laboratory technicians perform tests on patient samples to help doctors diagnose and treat disease. The work is precise, lab-based, and requires a bachelor's degree. Here is what the job involves, what skills matter most, and how to get there.
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You process blood, tissue, and other patient samples using specialized equipment and techniques. You run diagnostic tests, record results, and document your findings carefully. The work demands accuracy because your results directly inform patient care. You stay current with new testing methods and safety protocols. You may work with computers to enter data and retrieve information. You follow strict procedures to ensure quality and protect both yourself and patients from contamination or exposure.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians earn a median of $62,930 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 22,600 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You will need a bachelor's degree to enter this field. Your coursework focuses on biology, chemistry, and mathematics, with hands-on lab experience built in. During your studies, you will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and scientific analysis. Look for programs that include clinical rotations or internships so you can apply what you learn in real lab settings. Once you complete your degree, you may pursue additional certification to advance your credentials and career options.
Most paths to this career involve earning a bachelor's degree, so timing and program fit matter. Use Pathly can map the medical and clinical laboratory technician path that fits you to map out your education options and next steps, and keep your counselor involved as you plan.
Many medical and clinical laboratory technicians must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You like hands-on, practical work grounded in science and systems. You are detail-oriented, methodical, and comfortable working with equipment and data.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).