How to become a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist

Official title: Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Also called: Clinical Chemist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Histologist Technologist, Lab Tech (Laboratory Technologist), Medical Lab Technologist (Medical Laboratory Technologist), Medical Technologist (MT), Microbiology Technologist (MT), MLS (Medical Laboratory Scientist), Technologist

Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

Main tasks

• Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
• Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
• Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
• Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
• Collect and study blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, or their blood group, blood type, or compatibility for transfusion purposes, using microscopic techniques.
• Set up, clean, and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Operate, calibrate, or maintain equipment used in quantitative or qualitative analysis, such as spectrophotometers, calorimeters, flame photometers, or computer-controlled analyzers.
• Establish or monitor quality assurance programs or activities to ensure the accuracy of laboratory results.

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

• College: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 23 universities in the US
• Licence: A licence is required in 16 states.

Pay · Outlook

• About 343,000 people work in this job now, and about 352,400 are projected by 2035. (+2.7%)

Related jobs

• Cytogenetic Technologists
• Cytotechnologists
• Histotechnologists
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
• Histology Technicians

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist?

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 Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist 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 Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist?

Not always. 51% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Medicine & Dentistry degrees.

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.