Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians play a key role in the healthcare workforce, with national employment of 351,000 and a national median annual salary of $61,890. The field shows projected employment growth of 1.7%, along with 23,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing hiring needs. This career combines technical work with a strong foundation in science, mathematics, and computers and information technology, supported by skills such as detail orientation, critical and analytical thinking, and problem solving and decision making. Fine motor and mechanical abilities also matter, reflecting the hands-on nature of the work. Leadership and adaptability can help professionals take on added responsibility or adjust to changing workplace demands. For those interested in healthcare-related roles that rely on scientific skills and careful analysis, this occupation offers a structured path with clear educational expectations and opportunities across many states and metro areas. It can also serve as a stable platform for long-term career development or movement into related health technologist roles.
The national median annual salary for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is $61,890, but pay varies meaningfully across locations. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, New York shows a median salary of $97,280, notably higher than California at $76,010 and Massachusetts at $79,120. Colorado and Washington also stand out with median salaries of $70,050 and $72,760, respectively. At the metro level, the New York–Newark–Jersey City area offers a median of $96,930, while San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara pays $84,870 and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont pays $84,130. Boston–Cambridge–Newton and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria provide median salaries of $79,480 and $70,300. These differences show that earnings potential can rise significantly in certain states and metro areas, especially New York and several major coastal metros, giving professionals room to align salary goals with preferred locations.
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians have a sizable national employment base of 351,000, paired with projected employment growth of 1.7%. Alongside this growth rate, there are 23,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing demand for new and replacement workers. The combination of an established workforce and continued openings can create a range of opportunities for new entrants, early-career professionals, and experienced technologists considering a move. The 1.7% growth rate is consistent across the highlighted top states and metro areas, indicating that expansion is not limited to a single region. Job seekers can expect activity in both large, densely employed areas such as New York and California and in states with smaller but notable employment levels like Colorado and Washington. Overall, the employment and growth data point to a field with steady hiring needs rather than dramatic expansion or contraction, which may appeal to those seeking a relatively predictable career path.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians. Among states, California leads in employment with 29,210 positions and a median salary of $76,010, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York combines a median salary of $97,280 with employment of 16,460 and an opportunity score of 65.78, reflecting strong pay alongside sizable job numbers. Massachusetts offers a median salary of $79,120 and 10,850 employed, with an opportunity score of 65.87. Colorado and Washington have smaller employment bases—5,000 and 7,430—yet still post solid median salaries and opportunity scores above 56. At the metro level, New York–Newark–Jersey City and San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara stand out with the highest opportunity scores (77.27 and 77.42) and median salaries of $96,930 and $84,870. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont and Boston–Cambridge–Newton also show strong combinations of pay and employment, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria offers a median salary of $70,300 and an opportunity score of 64.47. These figures highlight meaningful differences between regions in both pay and concentration of roles.
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree, providing a structured educational path into the field. This requirement aligns with the role’s emphasis on science and mathematics, as well as the use of computers and information technology. Students and career changers considering this occupation can expect to rely heavily on detail-oriented work and fine motor skills, supported by mechanical aptitude. Critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, are central to the profession’s analytical focus. Adaptability helps professionals respond to changing tools or processes, while leadership skills can support progression into more responsible positions or the coordination of others’ work. Together, this blend of education and skills creates a profile suited to individuals who enjoy scientifically grounded tasks, careful analysis, and structured technical environments, and who are prepared to complete a bachelor’s degree to enter and grow within the occupation.
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