How to become a Histology Technician
Official title: Histology Technicians
Also called: Clinical Histology Technician (Clinical Histology Tech), Histologic Technician (HT), Histologist, Histology Consultant, Histology Coordinator, Histology Technician (HT), Histotechnician
Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.
Main tasks
- Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
- Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
- Mount tissue specimens on glass slides.
- Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.
- Freeze tissue specimens.
- Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
- Archive diagnostic material, such as histologic slides and blocks.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths.
How to become one
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. Technicians sometimes qualify for jobs with an associate's degree. Some states require technologists and technicians to be licensed.
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Histology Technician (Nof).
- College: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 23 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook
- About 343,000 people work in this job now, and about 352,400 are projected by 2035. (+2.7%)
Related jobs
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
- Cytogenetic Technologists
- Cytotechnologists
- Histotechnologists
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Histology Technician?
Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. Technicians sometimes qualify for jobs with an associate's degree. Some states require technologists and technicians to be licensed.
Is a Histology Technician a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 3% by 2035, from about 343,000 to about 352,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Histology Technician?
Not always. 51% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees; Histology Technician (Nof).
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.