How To Become A Cytogenetic Technologist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a cytogenetic technologist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Cytogenetic Technologists work in labs, and they prepare, examine, and analyze chromosomes in a patient's DNA. This helps everyone learn about the relationship between genetics and health. A Cytogenetic Technologist also works as part of a medical team in detecting, analyzing, and interpreting genetic diseases in tissues, blood, and fluid samples. A Cytogenetic Technologist rarely sees patients, but their research is especially important.

To become a Cytogenetic Technologist, you need to gain a four-year bachelor's degree in Cytogenetics technology, biotechnology, biology, or related science. You will probably need certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists or ASCP. You may also need to be accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Career opportunities for Cytogenetic Technologists are exceptionally good, and jobs are available in rural and metropolitan areas in diagnostic cytology as well as research education and administration. You will make a median salary of $61,000 per year.

ScoreCytogenetic TechnologistUS Average

Salary

4.2

Avg. Salary $54,242

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.9

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%

Asian 12.10%

Black or African American 10.56%

Hispanic or Latino 17.78%

Unknown 5.15%

White 53.61%

Gender

female 70.78%

male 29.22%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

6.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a cytogenetic technologist

Explore cytogenetic technologist education requirements

Most common cytogenetic technologist degrees

Bachelor's

85.2 %

Master's

7.8 %

Associate

4.6 %

Start to develop specific cytogenetic technologist skills

Skills	Percentages
Harvest	11.28%
Patients	11.13%
ASCP	9.14%
Test Results	7.42%
Laboratory Equipment	5.38%

Complete relevant cytogenetic technologist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cytogenetic technologists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cytogenetic technologist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cytogenetic technologist resumes.

Research cytogenetic technologist duties and responsibilities

Accomplish at using/troubleshooting with programs such as ASI for image capture/analysis and karyotyping.
Help maintain boats cages and feed barge.
Follow FDA guideline to report results and document maintenance.
Operate boats safely to and from work sites on ocean.

Prepare your cytogenetic technologist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cytogenetic technologist resume.

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