Also called: Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Identifies the bacteria and fungi in patient samples and tests which antibiotics will kill them.
Reads culture plates growing from patient urine and blood samples, runs identification machines, and calls the doctor when a dangerous germ shows up.
BLS May 2024 clinical lab technologists and technicians.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in medical laboratory science plus ASCP certification; some states require a license.
Ways in: 4-year college, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Medical Laboratory Science, Microbiology.
Growing about average (about 2% over 10 years). BLS 2024-34 (approx).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI reads culture plates and automated lines sort samples; licensed scientists still verify results and call doctors.
Classes: AP Biology, Chemistry, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-2011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.