Career Information

Some of our recent graduates are entering the field at $19/hour, not including shift or weekend differentials. ​Emsi reports an average wage of $27.70 for CLT's in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Samples of reported job titles that fall under the Bureau of Labor Statistics' standard occupational classification system for CLT include: Certified Clinical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Technician, Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) and Medical Technician.

The 2019 ASCP Wage and Vacancy S​urvey​ reported an average hourly wage for an MLT/CLT of $24.42 in urban areas and $22.73 in rural areas, according to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Find more information about job openings on the ASCLS Career Center website.

What Does a Medical Laboratory Technician Do?

Medical laboratory technicians (MLTs), who must have at least an associate degree, conduct patient care testing in a clinical setting. They perform complex chemical and analytical tests on patient specimens that provide valuable information for doctors to make diagnoses.

Medical laboratory technologists perform research that helps unravel the mysteries of the human body. It’s a great occupation for highly organized people who enjoy working with precision and accuracy, a varied career path that involves:

• Looking at cells under a microscope
• Cross-matching blood
• Performing chemical and molecular analyses
  
• Looking at pathological disease states

Why is This is a Good Career Bet?

Health-related occupations will add the most new jobs to the U.S. economy through 2024 — nearly a third of all jobs — according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fourteen of the top 20 fastest-growing careers are in health care occupations, according to CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

For jobs requiring at least an associate degree, medical laboratory technician is ranked eighth among CareerOneStop's 39 fastest-growing occupations and fourth of its top 45 careers with the most job openings through 2024. Positions are projected to increase by 31% through the coming decade.

Employment Opportunities

Medical lab technicians (MLTs) work in:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
  
• Laboratories
• Doctors’ offices
• Blood centers and blood banks
• Research labs
• Regulatory agencies
  
• Sales in the health care industry
  

Job Skills and Abilities

Skills that make a good medical technologist include:

• aptitude for science
• good analytical judgment
• ability to work under pressure with precision and accuracy
• close attention to detail
• excellent computer skills
• ability to follow written and verbal directions closely
• good manual dexterity

Earning an associate degree as an MLT can serve as a stepping stone to earning a bachelor’s degree in medical technology or other allied health fields that require a bachelor’s degree.

Salaries and Projected Job Growth

Many of our students receive their board certification through the American Society of Clinical Pathology and enter the workforce as an MLT at a salary in line with national averages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, wages can range from around $30,000 to nearly $80,000 annually. 

In fact, the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) states that there is a shortage of technicians nationwide, leading to higher salaries and more opportunities. The Career Center on the ASCLS website features current job openings across the country and is a great professional resource throughout your learning and working experiences.