Medical Lab Technician

Explore This Path

Ideal for those passionate about science and healthcare innovation.
Play a crucial role in diagnosing and preventing diseases.
Work with cutting-edge lab technology to ensure accurate results.

💰 Earn $50K-$86K

📚 Bachelor Degree

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 5.3% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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

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.
Prepare standard volumetric solutions or reagents to be combined with samples, following standardized formulas or experimental procedures.
Collect blood or tissue samples from patients, observing principles of asepsis to obtain blood sample.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Bachelor Degree

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

24,200 Annually

Median Earnings

$66,610 in California

$60,780 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Medical Lab Technician? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@krayburn00

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Thinking and problem solving
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Writing

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Medical Lab Technician

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Workforce Development Program

A workforce development program typically enhances participants' opportunities to succeed in the workforce through employment skill-building, career counseling, connections to employers, and pathways to high-demand and high-wage jobs.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years