Occupations · Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

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

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 29-2011.00

Pay over time

Median up 40% between 2003 and 2016, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Cultivate, isolate, or assist in identifying microbial organisms or perform various tests on these microorganisms.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking4.0

Science4.0

Active Listening3.9

Reading Comprehension3.8

Monitoring3.5

Active Learning3.4

Mathematics3.1

Speaking3.1

Writing3.1

Learning Strategies2.9

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

MEDITECH software●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Project●Microsoft Word●eClinicalWorks EHR software●Commercial plate reader softwareDatabase softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareEmail softwareFileMaker ProHematology laboratory workflow management softwareLaboratory information system LISMedical digital imaging softwareMedical procedure coding softwareMedical system integration softwareMicroscopic image capturing softwareQuality control softwareReimbursement screening softwareSpecimen tracking softwareTest result delivery softwareTest routing software

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to Disease or Infections+2.9 above average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets+1.9 above average

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions−1.3 below average

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled−1.3 below average

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures−1.2 below average

Degree of Automation+1.2 above average

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment−1.2 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2025-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree52%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)32%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.14%

Some College Courses2%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2025-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Investigative6.2

Realistic5.8

Conventional5.0

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Conduct blood typing and antibody screening.

O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Quality Control Analysis3.8

Operations Monitoring3.6

Complex Problem Solving3.4

Operation and Control3.4

Time Management3.4

Judgment and Decision Making3.1

Instructing3.1

Troubleshooting3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

ChemistryCustomer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageBiologyMathematics

Abilities it leans on

Inductive ReasoningNear VisionProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingWritten ComprehensionOral Comprehension

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

TechnologistClinical ChemistHistotechnologistImmunohematologistTissue TechnologistClinical ResearcherResearch TechnologistChemistry TechnologistDifferential SpecialistBlood Bank TechnologistHematology TechnologistHistologist TechnologistBiochemistry TechnologistMedical Technologist (MT)

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 1 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 4

+FileMaker Pro+Medical procedure coding software+eClinicalWorks EHR software+MEDITECH software

No longer listed 9

−Microsoft Access−Spreadsheet software−Specimen labeling system software−Word processing software−Medical software−Presentation software−Microsoft Outlook−Brady Specimen Labeling System−Cerner Millennium

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

CytologistTechnologistMicrobiologistCytotechnologistClinical ChemistHistotechnologistResearch AssistantImmunohematologistClinical ResearcherTissue TechnologistLaboratory SupervisorResearch Technologist

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
biomedical scientist	3212.1	exact
medical laboratory assistant	3212.2	close
specialist biomedical scientist	2131.4.11	close
medical laboratory manager	1349.17	close
scientific laboratory technician	3141.2	close
biomedical scientist advanced	2131.4.3	close
bacteriology technician	3141.2.1	broader
cytology screener	3212.1.2	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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