Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

SOC code 29-2012 · O*NET-SOC 29-2012.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$62,930

a year

Hourly

$30.26

per hour

10th$38,910Median$62,93090th$100,990

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$67,350

$32.38 per hour

Middle 50%

$47,650 – $81,450

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$38,910 – $100,990

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

332,940

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians”, not this job alone.

10th percentile: $38,910; $18.71/hr
25th percentile: $47,650; $22.91/hr
Median percentile: $62,930; $30.26/hr
75th percentile: $81,450; $39.16/hr
90th percentile: $100,990; $48.55/hr

What do medical and clinical laboratory technicians do?

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Perform quality control analyses to ensure accuracy of test results.
Conduct blood tests for transfusion purposes and perform blood counts.
Conduct chemical analyses of body fluids, such as blood or urine, using microscope or automatic analyzer to detect abnormalities or diseases and enter findings into computer.
Analyze the results of tests or experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, using special mechanical or electrical devices.
Set up, maintain, calibrate, clean, and test sterility of medical laboratory equipment.
Obtain specimens, cultivating, isolating, and identifying microorganisms for analysis.
Examine cells stained with dye to locate abnormalities.
Collect blood or tissue samples from patients, observing principles of asepsis to obtain blood sample.

How to qualify for this work

Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed

Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

See all zone 3 occupations →

The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.

Common questions

How much does a medical and clinical laboratory technicians earn?

The national median is $62,930 a year. The full range runs from $38,910 at the 10th percentile to $100,990 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a medical and clinical laboratory technicians without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension3.8/5
Active Listening3.6/5
Critical Thinking3.3/5
Speaking3.1/5
Writing3.0/5

Knowledge areas

Chemistry4.0/5
English Language4.0/5
Biology3.7/5
Medicine and Dentistry3.7/5
Education and Training3.5/5
Computers and Electronics3.5/5
Administrative3.4/5
Customer and Personal Service3.4/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.