Clinical Laboratory Technician: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared to support diagnostic healthcare teams, this program equips students with the foundational knowledge and hands-on expertise required to perform essential laboratory tests under professional supervision. Graduates are trained to contribute accurately and efficiently to clinical workflows, ensuring reliable data that informs patient care decisions.
- General Laboratory Procedures and Skills: Mastery of standard lab techniques including specimen collection, handling, labeling, and quality control protocols essential for safe and consistent operations.
- Laboratory Mathematics: Application of quantitative principles to calculate concentrations, dilutions, and test results with precision in clinical settings.
- Medical Computer Applications: Proficiency in laboratory information systems (LIS) and electronic health records (EHR) to manage data, track samples, and ensure compliance with digital reporting standards.
- Interpersonal and Communications Skills: Development of professional communication abilities to collaborate effectively with healthcare providers, patients, and laboratory staff in fast-paced environments.
- Hematology: Study of blood components and disorders, including complete blood count (CBC) analysis and the identification of abnormal cell morphology.
- Medical Microbiology: Focus on identifying and characterizing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites through culture, staining, and sensitivity testing.
- Immunohematology: Training in blood typing, crossmatching, and antibody screening to ensure safe blood transfusions and prevent adverse reactions.
- Immunology: Understanding of immune system function and laboratory methods used to detect antibodies, antigens, and immune-related disorders.
- Clinical Chemistry: Analysis of biochemical substances in bodily fluids to assess organ function, metabolic status, and disease markers.
- Urinalysis: Comprehensive evaluation of urine samples to detect abnormalities related to kidney function, metabolic conditions, and infections.
Clinical Laboratory Technician Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Clinical Laboratory Technician Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Clinical Laboratory Technician 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 |
Salary Comparison
Clinical Laboratory Technician 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 Technician by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Clinical Laboratory Technician 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 Technician is found at Weber State University (WSU) (161 graduates), Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) (84 graduates), South College (71 graduates), West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) (49 graduates), and Tidewater Community College (TCC) (42 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,297 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Clinical Laboratory Technician programs
How much can I earn with a Clinical Laboratory Technician degree?
Salaries for Clinical Laboratory Technician 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 Technician programs?
Currently 258 accredited institutions offer Clinical Laboratory Technician degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Weber State University (WSU) (161 graduates), Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) (84 graduates), and South College (71 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 Technician growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 3,414 in 2010 to a peak of 3,758 in 2020, before declining slightly to 3,329 in 2023-24. This represents a 2% 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 Technician 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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