Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Also called: Biochemistry Technologist, Blood Bank Laboratory Technologist, Blood Bank Medical Technologist, Blood Bank Technologist, Cath Lab Technologist (Catheterization Laboratory Technologist), Chemistry Technologist, Clinical Chemist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS)
Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
What medical and clinical laboratory technologists do
Typical 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.
- Supervise, train, or direct lab assistants, medical and clinical laboratory technicians or technologists, or other medical laboratory workers engaged in laboratory testing.
- Select and prepare specimens and media for cell cultures, using aseptic technique and knowledge of medium components and cell requirements.
- Obtain, cut, stain, and mount biological material on slides for microscopic study and diagnosis, following standard laboratory procedures.
- Provide technical information about test results to physicians, family members, or researchers.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists salary
No pay statistics are available for this occupation yet.
Projected pay for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
No projection yet because pay statistics are missing.
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (10-year). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists United States | 臨床検査技師 Japan | 細胞検査士 Japan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | — | ¥4.82M ≈ $30,651 | ¥4.54M ≈ $28,881 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | — | ¥6.56M | ¥5.56M |
| Outlook score | 53 | 56 | 45 |
| AI replacement risk | 50% Moderate | 39% Low | 67% High |
| Workers | — | — | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become medical and clinical laboratory technologists
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as medical and clinical laboratory technologists
Career-path guidance is being prepared.