Post job

Cytotechnologist vs histologic technician

The differences between cytotechnologists and histologic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a histologic technician has an average salary of $49,962, which is higher than the $49,566 average annual salary of a cytotechnologist.

The top three skills for a cytotechnologist include ASCP, patients and proficiency testing. The most important skills for a histologic technician are ASCP, patients, and tissue specimens.

Cytotechnologist vs histologic technician overview

CytotechnologistHistologic Technician
Yearly salary$49,566$49,962
Hourly rate$23.83$24.02
Growth rate--
Number of jobs39,9306,785
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4444
Years of experience-2

What does a cytotechnologist do?

A Cytotechnologist evaluates specimens on glass slides using microscopes. They analyze fluid and tissue specimens for microscopic cellular abnormalities, such as bacterial and viral infections.

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.

Cytotechnologist vs histologic technician salary

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

CytotechnologistHistologic Technician
Average salary$49,566$49,962
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $95,000Between $33,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityHicksville, NYSacramento, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyOSF HealthCareBattelle
Best paying industry--

Differences between cytotechnologist and histologic technician education

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

CytotechnologistHistologic Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorClinical/Medical Laboratory ScienceBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillStanford University

Cytotechnologist vs histologic technician demographics

Here are the differences between cytotechnologists' and histologic technicians' demographics:

CytotechnologistHistologic Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 28.7% Female, 71.3%Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.4% 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 cytotechnologist and histologic technician duties and responsibilities

Cytotechnologist example responsibilities.

  • Identify, verify and maintain an appropriate stock of control blocks for use in IHC staining.
  • Process approximately 1,200 GYN , 400 non-GYN, and 400 FNA samples per year.
  • Perform routine maintenance and quality control documentation for IHC staining equipment.
  • Process cell samples using microtomy wet tissue trimming and immunohistochemistry staining techniques.
  • Perform testing, training and technical supervision of all cytology and histology procedures.
  • Perform QC slide screening and data entry
  • 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

Cytotechnologist vs histologic technician skills

Common cytotechnologist skills
  • ASCP, 18%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Proficiency Testing, 5%
  • Test Results, 5%
  • CLIA, 5%
  • Clinical Laboratory, 4%
Common histologic technician skills
  • ASCP, 15%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Tissue Specimens, 5%
  • CLIA, 4%
  • IHC, 4%
  • Sectioning, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs