Medical Laboratory Technicians
Overview
Introduction
Medical laboratory technicians, also known as clinical laboratory technicians, perform routine tests in medical laboratories. These tests help physicians and other professional medical personnel diagnose and treat disease. Technicians prepare samples of body tissue; perform laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts; and make chemical and biological analyses of cells, tissue, blood, or other body specimens. They usually work under the supervision of a medical technologist or a laboratory director. Medical laborat...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Salaries of medical laboratory technicians vary according to employer and geographical area. In January 2020, Salary.com reported the median annual salary for medical laboratory technicians was $52,993; salaries ranged from less than $42,769 to more than $58,053. Median annual earnings of medical and clinical laboratory technicians were $52,330 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Department of L...
Work Environment
Medical laboratory technicians work in clean, well-lit, and usually air-conditioned settings. There may, however, be unpleasant odors and some infectious materials involved in the work. In general, there are few hazards associated with these odors and materials as long as proper methods of sterilization and handling of specimens, materials, and equipment are used. They wear protective gear such...
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for medical laboratory technicians will grow by 11 percent through 2028, which is much faster than the average for all careers. Demand for laboratory personnel is expected to be strong due to federal legislation that has enabled more people to have access to affordable health care. Also, more people are living longer, which will mean a great...
