Details Report for:
29-2011.02 - Cytotechnologists
Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.
Sample of reported job titles: Cytotechnologist; Cytotechnologist/Cytology Supervisor; Senior Cytotechnologist; Staff Cytotechnologist; Technical Specialist, Cytology
Tasks | Technology Skills | Tools Used | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Supplemental | |
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Supplemental |
Technology Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Medical software — Aspyra CyberLAB; CPSI CPSI System; Fortius Lab Systems Clinical LIS; MEDITECH software
(see all 34 examples)
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
Tools Used Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Analytical balances
- Automated cover slipping equipment — Automatic coverslippers
- Benchtop centrifuges — Centrifuges; Cytocentrifuges
- Binocular light compound microscopes — Compound light microscopes; Laboratory binocular microscopes
- Centrifuge tubes
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Distillation pipings or columns or fittings — Distilled water units
- Dropping pipettes — Glass pipettes
- Fluorescent microscopes
- General purpose refrigerators or refrigerator freezers — Laboratory refrigerators
- Histological staining apparatus — Automatic slide stainers
- Histology paraffin — Paraffin dispensers
- Laboratory beakers — Beakers
- Laboratory flasks — Conical flasks; Round bottom flasks
- Laboratory funnels — Funnels
- Laboratory graduated cylinders — Measuring cylinders
- Laboratory heaters — Radiant heaters
- Magnetic stirrers — Magnetic shakers
- Magnifiers — Stereoscopic magnifiers
- Microbiology analyzers — Flow cytometers
- Microscope slide cabinets — Slide filing cabinets
- Personal computers
- Scanning light or spinning disk or laser scanning microscopes — Confocal microscopes
- Steam autoclaves or sterilizers — Autoclaves; Electronic sterilizers
- Stereo or dissecting light microscopes — Stereo microscopes
- Tissue processors — Automatic tissue processors
- Vacuum tube needles — Fine needles
- Water baths — Laboratory water baths
Knowledge Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Abilities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Detailed Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Communicate test or assessment results to medical professionals.
- Analyze laboratory specimens to detect abnormalities or other problems.
- Verify accuracy of patient information.
- Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
- Follow protocols or regulations for healthcare activities.
- Verify that medical activities or operations meet standards.
- Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.
- Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
- Supervise technical medical personnel.
- Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
- Maintain medical laboratory equipment.
- Repair medical facility equipment.
- Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Work Context Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Job Zone Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Title | Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed |
Education | Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). |
Related Experience | Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. |
Job Training | Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. |
Job Zone Examples | These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians. |
SVP Range | (8.0 and above) |
Education
Interests Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Interest |
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95 ![]() ![]() |
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67 ![]() ![]() |
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. ![]() |
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Work Styles Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Work Style |
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Related Occupations Save Table (XLS/CSV)
19-4012.00 | Agricultural Technicians |
19-4013.00 | Food Science Technicians |
19-4021.00 | Biological Technicians ![]() |
19-4092.00 | Forensic Science Technicians ![]() |
29-2011.00 | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists ![]() |
29-2011.01 | Cytogenetic Technologists ![]() |
29-2052.00 | Pharmacy Technicians |
29-2099.01 | Neurodiagnostic Technologists ![]() |
31-9092.00 | Medical Assistants ![]() |
Wages & Employment Trends
Median wage data for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.
Employment data for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.
Industry data for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.
Median wages (2019) | $25.54 hourly, $53,120 annual |
State wages | |
Local wages | |
Employment (2019) | 337,800 employees |
Projected growth (2019-2029) | ![]() |
Projected job openings (2019-2029) | 21,600 |
State trends | |
Top industries (2019) | Health Care and Social Assistance (85% employed in this sector)
|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 wage data
and 2019-2029 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2019-2029). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- American Society for Clinical Pathology
- American Society for Cytotechnology
- American Society of Cytopathology
- College of American Pathologists
- Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
- The International Academy of Cytology