Clinical Laboratory Assistant: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Clinical Laboratory Assistants play a vital role in healthcare settings by supporting diagnostic testing and patient care through precise, regulated procedures. This program equips students with the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills needed to contribute effectively within clinical laboratory environments under professional supervision.
Key modules and areas of study include:
- Waived Testing Procedures: Understanding and performing simple laboratory tests approved by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA '88), which require minimal oversight due to their low risk of error.
- Phlebotomy Techniques: Mastering the safe and accurate collection of blood samples using various methods, including venipuncture and capillary puncture, while ensuring patient comfort and specimen integrity.
- Lab Safety and Sterilization Protocols: Applying infection control standards, proper disposal of biohazardous materials, and sterilization techniques to maintain a safe and compliant laboratory environment.
- Equipment Operation and Maintenance: Gaining proficiency in using, calibrating, and maintaining essential laboratory instruments, including centrifuges, analyzers, and automated testing systems.
- Laboratory Mathematics and Data Analysis: Developing the quantitative skills necessary for accurate calculations, dilutions, and interpretation of test results within clinical workflows.
- Computer Technology in Lab Settings: Utilizing laboratory information systems (LIS) and digital platforms for specimen tracking, result entry, and data management with precision and efficiency.
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Building professional communication abilities to interact effectively with patients, healthcare providers, and laboratory staff in high-pressure, detail-oriented environments.
- Clinical Procedures and Laboratory Workflow: Learning standardized protocols for specimen handling, labeling, storage, and transport to ensure accuracy and compliance across diagnostic processes.
Clinical Laboratory Assistant Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Clinical Laboratory Assistant Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Clinical Laboratory Assistant degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 229,720 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Clinical Laboratory Assistant Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $178,830 in Arkansas—a 272% difference. The highest-paying states include Arkansas, District of Columbia, and Utah. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 229,720 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Clinical Laboratory Assistant by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 31 institutions offering Clinical Laboratory Assistant programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Clinical Laboratory Assistant is found at Southwest University, El Paso (254 graduates), Lamson Institute (56 graduates), Chemeketa Community College (34 graduates), Columbus State Community College (CSCC) (33 graduates), and Dorsey College, Saginaw (33 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 614 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest University |
Associate's
|
254 | El Paso, Texas | Private | southwestuniversity.edu |
| Lamson Institute |
Other Award
|
56 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | lamson.edu |
| Chemeketa Community College |
Other Award
|
34 | Salem, Oregon | Public | chemeketa.edu |
| Columbus State Community College (CSCC) |
Residency
|
33 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | cscc.edu |
| Dorsey College |
Other Award
|
33 | Saginaw, Michigan | Private | dorsey.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Associate's
|
19 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| California Institute of Medical Science (CIMS) |
Other Award
|
18 | Clovis, California | Private | cims.edu |
| Orange Technical College (OTC) |
Other Award
|
14 | Orlando, Florida | Public | orangetechcollege.net |
| Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14 | Cumberland, Maryland | Public | allegany.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College (OCtech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Orangeburg, South Carolina | Public | octech.edu |
| ATA College |
Associate's
|
12 | El Cajon, California | Private | atacollege.edu |
| Dorsey College |
Other Award
|
10 | Madison Heights, Michigan | Private | dorsey.edu |
| Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Wenatchee, Washington | Public | wvc.edu |
| Dorsey College |
Other Award
|
10 | Wayne, Michigan | Private | dorsey.edu |
| Central Arizona College (CAC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Coolidge, Arizona | Public | centralaz.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
|
8 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Bay de Noc Community College (Bay College) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Escanaba, Michigan | Public | baycollege.edu |
| Edmonds College |
Other Award
|
8 | Lynnwood, Washington | Public | edmonds.edu |
| University of Maine (UMA) |
Associate's
|
7 | Augusta, Maine | Public | uma.edu |
| Clackamas Community College (CCC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Oregon City, Oregon | Public | clackamas.edu |
| North Idaho College (NIC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Public | nic.edu |
| Indian Hills Community College (IHCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Ottumwa, Iowa | Public | indianhills.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| University of Maine (UMPI) |
Associate's
|
3 | Presque Isle, Maine | Public | umpi.edu |
| Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | bhcc.edu |
| Kankakee Community College (KCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Kankakee, Illinois | Public | kcc.edu |
| Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Arnold, Maryland | Public | aacc.edu |
| North Arkansas College (Northark) |
Other Award
|
1 | Harrison, Arkansas | Public | northark.edu |
| Dalton State College (DSC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Dalton, Georgia | Public | daltonstate.edu |
| Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Bossier City, Louisiana | Public | bpcc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Clinical Laboratory Assistant programs
How much can I earn with a Clinical Laboratory Assistant degree?
Salaries for Clinical Laboratory Assistant graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Arkansas average $178,830 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 229,720 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Clinical Laboratory Assistant programs?
Currently 31 accredited institutions offer Clinical Laboratory Assistant degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Southwest University, El Paso (254 graduates), Lamson Institute (56 graduates), and Chemeketa Community College (34 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Clinical Laboratory Assistant growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 1,113 in 2010 to a peak of 787 in 2020, before declining slightly to 614 in 2023-24. This represents a 45% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Clinical Laboratory Assistant degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 229,720 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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