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The role of a cytotechnologist is essential in the healthcare industry, focusing on the microscopic examination of cells. As of October 2025, the average salary for a cytotechnologist is $49,566 per year, translating to approximately $24 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, and the specific healthcare setting.
In states like California and New York, cytotechnologists often earn higher salaries, reflecting the cost of living and the demand for skilled professionals. For instance, cities with advanced medical facilities may offer competitive salaries to attract talent. With experience, cytotechnologists can increase their earning potential, especially if they pursue specialized certifications.
Cytotechnologists can also explore various career paths, including supervisory and management roles, which often come with higher salaries. Continuous education and training can further enhance job prospects and salary potential. The field is expected to grow, making it an excellent choice for those interested in healthcare and laboratory science.
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The highest-paying states for cytotechnologists are Alaska, New York, and California. The lowest average cytotechnologist salary states are South Dakota, South Carolina, and Wyoming.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $64,806 | $31.16 |
| 2 | Alaska | $76,704 | $36.88 |
| 3 | Maine | $53,642 | $25.79 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $52,815 | $25.39 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $59,639 | $28.67 |
| 6 | Arizona | $53,859 | $25.89 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $49,722 | $23.90 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $52,027 | $25.01 |
| 9 | Michigan | $49,802 | $23.94 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $51,069 | $24.55 |
| 11 | California | $60,941 | $29.30 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $55,340 | $26.61 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $56,354 | $27.09 |
| 14 | Vermont | $49,502 | $23.80 |
| 15 | Delaware | $55,635 | $26.75 |
| 16 | Indiana | $49,199 | $23.65 |
| 17 | Ohio | $46,501 | $22.36 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $53,852 | $25.89 |
| 19 | Maryland | $53,858 | $25.89 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $49,324 | $23.71 |
| 21 | Illinois | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| 22 | Nevada | $48,699 | $23.41 |
| 23 | Mississippi | $45,926 | $22.08 |
| 24 | Virginia | $51,509 | $24.76 |
| 25 | Missouri | $45,885 | $22.06 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $44,746 | $21.51 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $44,223 | $21.26 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $53,182 | $25.57 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $43,166 | $20.75 |
| 30 | Washington | $44,228 | $21.26 |
| 31 | Iowa | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $45,283 | $21.77 |
| 33 | Utah | $44,986 | $21.63 |
| 34 | Idaho | $42,013 | $20.20 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $38,961 | $18.73 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $39,026 | $18.76 |
| 37 | Florida | $39,202 | $18.85 |
| 38 | Oregon | $44,634 | $21.46 |
| 39 | Kansas | $40,294 | $19.37 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $42,732 | $20.54 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $38,722 | $18.62 |
| 43 | Texas | $41,893 | $20.14 |
| 44 | Alabama | $36,768 | $17.68 |
| 45 | Georgia | $38,259 | $18.39 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $38,372 | $18.45 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $37,271 | $17.92 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $36,969 | $17.77 |
| 49 | Colorado | $38,547 | $18.53 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $37,209 | $17.89 |
| 51 | Montana | $35,283 | $16.96 |
The highest-paying cities for cytotechnologists are Hicksville, NY, San Francisco, CA, and Danbury, CT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hicksville, NY | $64,920 | $31.21 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $63,162 | $30.37 |
| 3 | Danbury, CT | $56,419 | $27.12 |
| 4 | Towson, MD | $54,295 | $26.10 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $53,767 | $25.85 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $53,613 | $25.78 |
| 7 | Charlottesville, VA | $50,668 | $24.36 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $50,185 | $24.13 |
| 9 | Fargo, ND | $50,096 | $24.08 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh, PA | $49,177 | $23.64 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | $47,468 | $22.82 |
| 12 | Toledo, OH | $47,329 | $22.75 |
| 13 | Saint Louis, MO | $46,696 | $22.45 |
| 14 | Omaha, NE | $45,684 | $21.96 |
| 15 | Burlington, NC | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| 16 | Vancouver, WA | $44,922 | $21.60 |
| 17 | Minneapolis, MN | $44,717 | $21.50 |
| 18 | Portland, OR | $44,048 | $21.18 |
| 19 | Houston, TX | $42,502 | $20.43 |
| 20 | Tampa, FL | $39,495 | $18.99 |
A cytotechnologist's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $95,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $95,000 | $7,917 | $46 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| Average | $49,566 | $4,131 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
The highest paying types of cytotechnologists are vascular technician, cytology laboratory manager, and cytology supervisor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vascular Technician | $79,763 | $6,647 | $38.35 | 20,252 |
Top companies hiring cytotechnologists now:
Cytotechnologist salaries at OSF HealthCare and University of Maryland Medical System are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average cytotechnologist salary at companies like Brigham and Women's Hospital and Stanford Health Care are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OSF HealthCare | $134,103 | $64.47 |
| 2 | University of Maryland Medical System | $133,086 | $63.98 |
| 3 | Brigham and Women's Hospital | $119,963 | $57.67 |
| 4 | Stanford Health Care | $119,736 | $57.57 |
| 5 | UMass Memorial Health | $113,146 | $54.40 |
| 6 | Dignity Health | $110,791 | $53.26 |
| 7 | Westpac | $103,676 | $49.84 |
| 8 | Mid-Columbia Medical Center | $103,518 | $49.77 |
| 9 | UofL Hospital | $103,409 | $49.72 |
| 10 | Novant Health | $101,566 | $48.83 |
| 11 | UC Health | $101,392 | $48.75 |
| 12 | Mohawk Valley Health System | $101,106 | $48.61 |
| 13 | Montrose Memorial Hospital | $99,104 | $47.65 |
| 14 | Nebraska Medicine | $98,995 | $47.59 |
| 15 | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center | $97,454 | $46.85 |
| 16 | Sutter Health | $96,284 | $46.29 |
| 17 | Christiana Care Health Services, Inc. | $94,793 | $45.57 |
| 18 | Moffitt Cancer Center | $92,888 | $44.66 |
| 19 | TAJ Technologies | $92,318 | $44.38 |
| 20 | Griffin Hospital | $91,556 | $44.02 |
The average cytotechnologist salary has risen by $6,207 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average cytotechnologist earned $43,359 annually, but today, they earn $49,566 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for cytotechnologists over the last decade.
Compare cytotechnologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare cytotechnologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,600 | $23.83 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $48,200 | $23.18 | -0.7% |
| 2023 | $48,600 | $23.35 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $47,400 | $22.77 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $46,400 | $22.33 | +0.9% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valleywise Health System | Cytotechnologist Pool | Phoenix, AZ | 06/29/2025 | $100,176 |
| Aurora Health Care | Cytotechnologist Days/Rosemont | Rosemont, IL | 06/28/2025 | $72,836 |
| Essentia Health | Cytotechnologist | Fargo, ND | 06/28/2025 | $74,339 |
| Noorstaffingnursing | Travel Cytotechnologist | White Plains, NY | 06/27/2025 | $39,948 |
| El Camino Hospital | Cytotechnologist-PD-All-Anatomic Pathology @ MV | Mountain View, CA | 06/26/2025 | $144,692 |
| Quest Diagnostics Incorporated | Cytotechnologist | Baltimore, MD | 06/24/2025 | $71,772 |
| Quest Diagnostics Incorporated | Cytotechnologist | Clifton, NJ | 06/24/2025 | $75,758 |
| Rush University Medical Center | Cytotechnologist | Chicago, IL | 06/22/2025 | $72,815 |
| The University of Vermont Health Network | Cytotechnologist | Plattsburgh, NY | 06/20/2025 | $91,014 |
| Revel Staffing | Cytotechnologist | Buckeye Lake, OH | 06/20/2025 | $63,173 |
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