Post job

Cytogenetic technologist vs histologic technician

The differences between cytogenetic technologists and histologic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cytogenetic technologist has an average salary of $54,242, which is higher than the $49,962 average annual salary of a histologic technician.

The top three skills for a cytogenetic technologist include harvest, patients and ASCP. The most important skills for a histologic technician are ASCP, patients, and tissue specimens.

Cytogenetic technologist vs histologic technician overview

Cytogenetic TechnologistHistologic Technician
Yearly salary$54,242$49,962
Hourly rate$26.08$24.02
Growth rate9%-
Number of jobs76,3736,785
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 85%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4444
Years of experience-2

What does a cytogenetic technologist do?

A cytogenetic technologist is a lab specialist who is responsible for preparing and examining chromosomes in the DNA of patients to learn about the relationship between genetics and health. To aid in diagnosis and treatment plans, cytogenetic technologists must use microscopes to examine and analyze normal and abnormal chromosomes. They work closely with doctors to help diagnose and treat genetic diseases such as congenital disorders, blood disorders, and birth defects. Cytogenetic technologists can also work in different establishments such as hospitals, government facilities, and private labs.

What does a histologic technician do?

A Histologic Technician prepares tissue specimens for routine and special procedures to confirm a patient diagnosis. They work in hospital laboratories, government agencies, public health departments, and other institutions.

Cytogenetic technologist vs histologic technician salary

Cytogenetic technologists and histologic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cytogenetic TechnologistHistologic Technician
Average salary$54,242$49,962
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $75,000Between $33,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASacramento, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyBattelle
Best paying industry--

Differences between cytogenetic technologist and histologic technician education

There are a few differences between a cytogenetic technologist and a histologic technician in terms of educational background:

Cytogenetic TechnologistHistologic Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 85%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Cytogenetic technologist vs histologic technician demographics

Here are the differences between cytogenetic technologists' and histologic technicians' demographics:

Cytogenetic TechnologistHistologic Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 29.2% Female, 70.8%Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 12.1% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between cytogenetic technologist and histologic technician duties and responsibilities

Cytogenetic technologist example 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.
  • Organize data and records on all fin clipping traceability back to the hatchery.
  • Assist in the training of genetics technology students, genetics fellows and postdoctorate students.
  • Show more

Histologic technician example responsibilities.

  • Perform routine histology/cytology procedures and IHC and manage 7-20 staff members.
  • Develop and implement health and safety protocols and procedures in accordance with CLIA and OSHA regulations
  • Develop a higher grade eosin for stainline.
  • Enter patient specimens into the EMR system/file patient records.
  • Cut all control slides for research and run all immunofluorescence slides.
  • Perform processing, embedding, microtomy, cryostating, routine and special stains.
  • Show more

Cytogenetic technologist vs histologic technician skills

Common cytogenetic technologist skills
  • Harvest, 11%
  • Patients, 11%
  • ASCP, 9%
  • Test Results, 7%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 5%
  • Microscopic Analysis, 5%
Common histologic technician skills
  • ASCP, 15%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Tissue Specimens, 5%
  • CLIA, 4%
  • IHC, 4%
  • Sectioning, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs