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Job outlook for medical laboratory technicians in the United States
Medical laboratory technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected medical laboratory technician job growth rate is 16% from 2018-2028.
About 117,800 new jobs for medical laboratory technicians are projected over the next decade.
Medical laboratory technician salaries have increased 7% for medical laboratory technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 63,526 medical laboratory technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 88,721 active medical laboratory technician job openings in the US.
The average medical laboratory technician salary is $51,780.
Are medical laboratory technician jobs in demand?
Medical laboratory technician job and salary trends over time
Medical laboratory technician jobs over time
Medical laboratory technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63,526 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 64,787 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 64,765 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 63,630 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 63,670 | 0.02% |
Average medical laboratory technician salary over time
Medical laboratory technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $51,780 | $24.89 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $50,372 | $24.22 | --0.7% |
| 2024 | $50,736 | $24.39 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $49,476 | $23.79 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $48,522 | $23.33 | --0.1% |
Medical laboratory technician jobs by state
Most common states for medical laboratory technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 251 | 36% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,969 | 35% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 632 | 33% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 447 | 33% |
| 5 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 937 | 32% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 299 | 31% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,040 | 30% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 189 | 30% |
| 9 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 614 | 29% |
| 10 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 378 | 28% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 241 | 28% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 3,425 | 27% |
| 13 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,858 | 27% |
| 14 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,658 | 27% |
| 15 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 464 | 27% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,195 | 26% |
| 17 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 804 | 26% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 470 | 26% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 196 | 26% |
| 20 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 1,103 | 25% |
Most common cities for medical laboratory technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atascocita | 15 | 23% | $48,093 |
| 2 | Sugar Land | 12 | 14% | $48,322 |
| 3 | Newton | 8 | 9% | $64,488 |
| 4 | Pasadena | 13 | 8% | $48,183 |
| 5 | Toledo | 12 | 4% | $47,121 |
| 6 | Boston | 18 | 3% | $64,551 |
| 7 | Minneapolis | 12 | 3% | $46,495 |
| 8 | New Orleans | 11 | 3% | $56,502 |
| 9 | Houston | 24 | 1% | $48,209 |
| 10 | Phoenix | 9 | 1% | $58,858 |
| 11 | New York | 26 | 0% | $59,755 |
Medical Laboratory Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of medical laboratory technician experts
Northern Michigan University
University of South Florida
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Weber State University
Michigan Technological University
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Georgetown University Medical Center
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Medical University of South Carolina
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud State University
Pennsylvania Institute of Technology
Wenatchee Valley College
Agnes Scott College
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Old Dominion University
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Katherine Nelson MBA, MLS (ASCP): Skills that I foresee as becoming important in the 3-5 years include the ability to work with a variety of technology, strong communication skills between other laboratory and healthcare professionals and the ability adapt to change quickly.
What Medical Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Katherine Nelson MBA, MLS (ASCP): The best way to maximize your salary potential within the MLS field is to gain experience. Take every opportunity to learn something and grow your skills within the field. Development of leadership and management skills will also be helpful to move up in the laboratory.
What will help Medical Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Katherine Nelson MBA, MLS (ASCP): My advice to a graduate beginning their career in the Medical Laboratory Science field, would be to take every opportunity to learn something new. Say yes to as much as possible and use every opportunity to amass a variety of different laboratory skills and experiences.
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA
Assistant Professor / MLS Program DirectorNorthern Michigan University
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, And Treatment Professions
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: Experience. I have found through my time in the realm that an experienced lab tech is going to be highly sought after and henceforth will have optimal pay opportunities. As the word implies, experience can only be achieved through 'time in the lab' which means you have to put in your time to gather that resume boosting element, experience. Once that happens, then even more doors open up in the profession.
What Medical Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: The skills that will be required in the lab tech milieu over the next 3-5 years are the same ones that are necessary now, which is what makes the lab tech profession so lucrative. Foundational laboratory skills are a must now and will be must in the future. Once the aspiring lab tech learns and masters the foundational work, such as lab math, pipetting, dilution schemes, titrating, proper glassware use and application, basic spectrophotometry, transformational weights and measures, microscopy, etc. then they'll be readily adaptable for employment in any laboratory setting.
What will help Medical Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: I would highly recommend that the newly graduated lab tech does not limit themself to a specific location or a specific vocation. The places to work and the types of jobs available are nearly limitless. If one thinks outside of the box, outside of the mainstream lab tech opportunities, they'll find a whole host of other intriguing possibilities. So, do not limit yourself, the world is your oyster, .......so to speak.
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Dr. Kendall Morris Ph.D.: If you succeed, it is more wonderful than you could imagine. You get to find out things that no one else knows! You get to work with the best, smartest and usually nicest people in the world from all over the world. It’s likely that you will be required to travel, expenses paid, to amazing places with even more amazing people, some of whom will become not only colleagues but life-long friends or more like family. The pay becomes much better, though never what would be likely in other businesses. However, the pressure to acquire funding is ever-present.
What Medical Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kendall Morris Ph.D.: It is a great profession to enter now see 4 below, but ONLY if you think that doing anything else would be a waste of your life. The education is too long, the work is too hard and time consuming for too little pay for much too long. As many have found, if you are a resident of one of the many less affluent countries, wish to come to the U.S., AND have the drive and a love for research, you are likely to be welcomed here. For the time being, anyway. Few young people in the U.S. are willing to go into research. When I entered grad school 1988, all of the professors in my department were U.S. born. Today, about two thirds are immigrants.
What will help Medical Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kendall Morris Ph.D.: Same as above, but under mentor supervision.
What Medical Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Huy Le M.P.H CLS,MLS(ASCP): Focus on obtaining the necessary certification or board exam, such as the Medical Laboratory Science ASCP examination, as it is a prerequisite for working in a clinical lab. Start networking early by applying and getting to know the lab management at the hospital you want to work for, as competition can be high for new graduates. As a CLS graduate, it is imperative that you possess a strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as these are essential for accurately analyzing laboratory results and troubleshooting issues. In addition, brush up on your interview skills, including both soft skills and technical knowledge, to be fully prepared for job interviews.
Ethan Kentzel MS, MLS ASCPcm
Program Director, Medical Laboratory Science and Phlebotomy ProgramsBloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Biology
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Ethan Kentzel MS, MLS ASCPcm: You completed an MLS program and you have learned a ton of information in a short span of time. However, there is still so much to learn for Medical Laboratory Science! We recommend that you do your best to grow into the role, practice with a questioning attitude, participate and advocate for the field, consider joining our advocacy group - the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). If you have not taken your ASCP MLS BOC exam, we highly recommend that you do as a way to validate your learning experiences and to optimize your long term career growth.
What Medical Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ethan Kentzel MS, MLS ASCPcm: Obtaining your ASCP MLS certification is one way that you can increase your earning potential, as some hospitals pay more to people that have the certificate or license. Working in urban areas tend to pay more money, but may have higher costs of living. Some states require MLS to be licensed, and licensure states tend to pay more than certificate level states in the US. Students that work second or third shifts tend to have an increased likelihood of sign-on bonuses and shift differentials. If you communicate well, set clear expectations, and work well with your lab management team, you can always ask for additional tasks and responsibilities that would help you grow in your career. These extra responsibilities may help set you apart from your peers/colleagues when it comes time for promotions and raises.
What will help Medical Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Ethan Kentzel MS, MLS ASCPcm: Depending on the department that you work in, hands-on skills and dexterity with using pipettes will always be required. However, over the next 10-15 years, we anticipate molecular assays and artificial intelligence to help enhance our role in healthcare. Good MLS characteristics include being detail-oriented, communicative, organized, methodical, good lab/aseptic technique, etc., but in the future, we anticipate a greater need for computer software and instrumentation troubleshooting skills as technology advances!
Dr. Janice Thomas
Professor and Program DirectorWeber State University
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Dr. Janice Thomas: Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) are an integral part of the healthcare team as seventy percent (70%) of diagnoses come from laboratory results. On a day-to-day basis, the duties of an MLT can include collecting and analyzing samples, maintaining laboratory equipment, and accurately recording results for medical providers to review and consider when diagnosing patients.
What Medical Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Janice Thomas: Entering the field of Medical Laboratory Sciences is a wise choice, particularly now, due to the growing demand for healthcare services and the increasing technology in medical diagnostics. With an aging population and the continuous development of innovative medical tests and procedures, the need for skilled MLTs is more pronounced than ever. This profession not only offers job stability and opportunities for advancement but also the satisfaction of contributing to patient care and the well-being of the community.
What will help Medical Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Janice Thomas: Many MLTs appreciate the variety and dynamic nature of the work. They welcome the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technology, and the sense of fulfillment that comes from playing an important role in patient care. The profession also offers a good balance of teamwork and individual responsibilities, along with diverse disciplines and career paths. But, like any profession, there are challenges. Some may find the work mentally demanding and stressful, particularly when dealing with urgent cases or critical results. Others may prefer more patient contact than the role typically provides. It's also important to note that the profession requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to strict protocols, which can be taxing for some individuals.
Shelby McCarty MSNPA
Public Relations CoordinatorWhat general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Shelby McCarty MSNPA: Maximizing salary potential as a medical laboratory scientist requires a combination of skill development, pursual of advanced education, and proactive career management. As a graduate prepares to enter the job market, it is important to research salary trends in various locations and understand that salary can vary depending on geographic location. Multiple factors play a role in influencing salary: experience, education level, cost-of-living, shift work, among others. MLS graduates should use that first job to gain experience, building a strong foundation of practical skills. They may search for positions in high-demand areas, such as molecular diagnostics, where they can acquire specialized skills. On the other hand, gaining experience in all departments of the laboratory, can make a MLS more well-rounded, which is desirable for many MLS positions. The experience gained in a variety of departments provides a MLS the opportunity to take on a travel position, which has a higher earning potential. A MLS may consider pursuing an advanced degree or certification relevant to medical laboratory science, such as a graduate degree or specialty certifications like molecular biology, hematology, or blood banking. It is also important to look for opportunities to advance your career with the profession, such as management positions, supervisor roles, or opportunities in Laboratory Informatics. Advancing to higher-level positions often comes with increased salary potential. Lastly, build professional relationships with others in the medical laboratory profession by joining professional organizations or attending industry events. This allows you to stay connected with potential job opportunities and gain insights regarding career advancement.
What Medical Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shelby McCarty MSNPA: Medical Laboratory Science is a rewarding career that is both exciting, yet challenging. As a graduate begins their career in the medical laboratory profession, we should be prepared to collaborate with colleagues in the laboratory and with other healthcare providers. Effective communication skills are crucial. We should be respectful of others' expertise and conversely share our own knowledge to foster a positive working environment. As a Medical Laboratory Scientist, we develop an acute eye for detail because precision and accuracy are vital in laboratory work. We must ensure that we are providing physicians reliable results. Furthermore, we should always adhere to the highest ethical standards, respecting patients' confidentiality and following established protocols and regulations. MLS graduates need to have excellent time management skills, as the laboratory profession often involves handling multiple tasks simultaneously. Lastly, graduates should continue to seek opportunities for professional growth and strive for excellence. Many hospital laboratories provide professional development or allow their employees to attend professional meetings.
What will help Medical Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Shelby McCarty MSNPA: The medical laboratory science profession will remain a prevalent part of patient care. The advancement of interprofessional collaboration in universities helps emphasize multidisciplinary teamwork to provide comprehensive patient care. We are in a field that continues to evolve with new technologies and methodologies frequently emerging. It is important to remain proficient in the variety of high-complexity skills necessary for a medical laboratory scientist. Given the rapid pace of technological advancement and scientific discovery, lifelong learning and adaptability is essential.
Claire Danielson ms, MLS(ASCP)CM
MLS Program Director | Assistant Teaching ProfessorMichigan Technological University
Biology
What Medical Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Claire Danielson ms, MLS(ASCP)CM: Computer skills (everything is automated now, LIS, middleware, software, etc), the ability to work independently and troubleshoot instruments and problems on your own. As we automate more and more, techs will be working alone more often. Organizational and multitasking skills have always been important and will remain important.
Angela Robinson MS MLS ASCP
Retired Assoc Admin of Pathology & Laboratory MedicineWhat general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Angela Robinson MS MLS ASCP: Over the years with automation and autoverification - tools to assist the Medical Laboratory Professionals - the skills have altered from psychomotor behavorial to independent thinking and critical cognitive expertise. Soft skills are and will become even more prevalent - including Problem Solving/ Time Management/ Adaptability/ Communication/ Interpersonal/ Teamwork.
Medical Laboratory Professionals will continue to multitask at the workbench -
Medical Laboratory Scientists and Technicians must always seek accurate and precise quality standards with the most stategic highly regulated compliance of analytical laboratory testing.
But now must also come from behind the walls of the laboratory to collaborate and coordinate with other medical laboratory professionals as well as non-lab professionals to work as a team for patient care. Most errors are PREanalytical variables - (before laboratory analysis) with how specimens are incorrectly drawn - wrong tube type - incorrect order of draw - mislabeled - unlabeled - clotted - hemolyzed - QNS.
Furthermore - Laboratory professionals skilled at management must take a seat and have a voice at the c-suite. Supportive leadership for resourceful environments. Also medical laboratory professionals continue to become more acutely involved in POCT - Quality assurance - Safety - Infection Control - Risk - Education and even Public Relations. DCLS (the doctorate of Clinical Laboratory Science) is also becoming highly sought out for Data Mgt Teams to markedly improve patient care.
Dr. Luis Rogelio Cruz-Vera
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Alabama in Huntsville
Department of Biological Sciences
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Technician resumes?
Dr. Luis Rogelio Cruz-Vera: Good standing on biochemical concepts.
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Technicians possess?
Dr. Luis Rogelio Cruz-Vera: Planification.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Dr. Luis Rogelio Cruz-Vera: Pipetting, quantitative analysis, computer writing.
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Technicians earn the most?
Dr. Luis Rogelio Cruz-Vera: Commitment.
Ivica Labuda
Professor and DirectorGeorgetown University Medical Center
Department of Biochemistry Molecular and Cell Biology
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Medical Laboratory Technician job market given the pandemic?
Ivica Labuda: The biggest trends are undoubtedly public health, medicine, virology, and biotechnology. Recent graduates of our Georgetown Biotechnology program all landed a job, with some of them working closely on Covid-19 vaccine or test developments.
What general advice would you give to a Medical Laboratory Technician?
Ivica Labuda: You can find what is "you" in any profession. Love what you do and always learn new skills. Look for an opportunity where your personality and talents intersect.
What Medical Laboratory Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ivica Labuda: A gap year is an excellent opportunity to try out a job you dream about. It is good to test the unknown territories which look fascinating and can either confirm or challenge your ideas about that field. It is always good to talk to as many people as possible about new opportunities available to you.
Lindsey Clark
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department of Laboratory Sciences
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Technician resumes?
Lindsey Clark: Employers are looking for laboratory professionals who are knowledgeable, dependable, and motivated. Laboratory professionals should consider listing instruments or analyzers they have worked with or any special skills they have acquired, such as performing molecular diagnostic or special immunology testing. Employers may also be looking for a certain set of skills, so it is important to include one's primary role in the lab and any other departments in which they have experience, such as hematology, microbiology, blood bank, etc.
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Technicians possess?
Lindsey Clark: Laboratory scientists are like medical detectives-looking for clues that lead to diagnoses, which requires attention to detail, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These are some of the most important soft skills for laboratory scientists, time management, adaptability, and communication skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Lindsey Clark: Nearly all clinical laboratory scientists will need to know how to use a microscope properly, operate various lab instruments or analyzers, and perform complex laboratory testing according to standard operating procedures. They may also be required to collect, process, or analyze specimens, maintain quality control records, prepare chemical reagents, investigate atypical or discrepant test results, determine causation, or communicate with other healthcare professionals.
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Technicians earn the most?
Lindsey Clark: Specializing in one or two lab areas can help professionals move into roles such as a lead scientist or department supervisor. However, obtaining a bachelor's degree and honing lab skills will open up the most opportunities for advancement in the clinical laboratory. Those with a bachelor's degree can serve as general supervisors, technical supervisors, technical consultants, or even laboratory directors in some labs.
Helen Martin
Associate Professor, Division DirectorMedical University of South Carolina
Division of Physician Assistant Studies
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Technician resumes?
Helen Martin: The degree must be from an accredited university.
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Technicians possess?
Helen Martin: Computer skills within a hospital system.
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Technicians earn the most?
Helen Martin: 4-year degree in laboratory science.
Patricia Ellinger
Medical Laboratory Science FacultySaint Cloud State University
Medical Laboratory Science
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Technician resumes?
Patricia Ellinger: Note, we offer a four-year degree, so these individuals are Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS). The Technician is the 2-year level.
-Oral and written communication with others in the lab, lab profession (doctors)
-Ability to work alone or in a group (teamwork)
-Ability to follow directions
-Problem solving
-Careful work: Precision, accuracy, reproducibility
-Ask questions when need help: Know when to ask for help, the data matters, ask to confirm a test result if in question, before sending out
-Ethical
-Time management
-Self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses
-Confidence without arrogance
-Leadership
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Technicians possess?
Patricia Ellinger: Understanding that a patient's sample is from a loved one. Results matter. They need to be perfect
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Patricia Ellinger: -Careful work: Precision, accuracy, reproducibility
-Knowledge of quality control, ability to recognize when a test result looks wrong and what to do about it
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Technicians earn the most?
Patricia Ellinger: -Problem solving gives you the ability to see opportunities, to take on additional tasks or projects
-Careful work: Precision, accuracy, reproducibility
-Ability to work with others
-Work experience with the above and also furthering your education
-Work experience which enhance base knowledge and technical skills
-Educational
-MBA for some positions (depends on the size of the hospital), management
-MS/Ph.D. for some positions
-Depends on the size of the hospital
-Also, needed for an academic position, MS for some, others require PhD
Louise Millis
Medical Laboratory Science and Histotechnician Program Director, Associate Professor of BiologySaint Cloud State University
Medical Laboratory Science
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Technician resumes?
Louise Millis: Note, we offer a four-year degree, so these individuals are Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS). The Technician is the two-year level.
-Oral and written communication with others in the lab, lab profession (doctors)
-Ability to work alone or in a group (teamwork)
-Ability to follow directions
-Problem solving
-Careful work: Precision, accuracy, reproducibility
-Ask questions when need help: Know when to ask for help, the data matters, ask to confirm a test result if in question, before sending out
-Ethical
-Time management
-Self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses
-Confidence without arrogance
-Leadership
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Technicians possess?
Louise Millis: Understanding that a patient's sample is from a loved one. Results matter. They need to be perfect
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Louise Millis: -Careful work: Precision, accuracy, reproducibility
-Knowledge of quality control, ability to recognize when a test result looks wrong and what to do about it
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Technicians earn the most?
Louise Millis: -Problem solving gives you the ability to see opportunities, to take on additional tasks or projects
-Careful work: Precision, accuracy, reproducibility
-Ability to work with others
-Work experience with the above and also furthering your education
-Work experience which enhance base knowledge and technical skills
-Educational
-MBA for some positions (depends on the size of the hospital), management
-MS/Ph.D. for some positions
-Depends on the size of the hospital
-Also, needed for an academic position, MS for some, others require PhD
Robyn Tarpley
Director of Health and Medical SciencesPennsylvania Institute of Technology
Health and Medical Sciences Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Robyn Tarpley: The ability to be 9 knowing all aspects of working in a Dr's office from meeting and greeting, collecting patient history, drawing labs, ECG) essentially being well rounded.
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Technicians earn the most?
Robyn Tarpley: NHA cert- being assertive and professional.
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Technician resumes?
Patrick Tracy: -Good critical-thinking skills
-Good problem-solving skills
-Able to prioritize tasks
-Pay attention to detail
-Take a process from beginning to end
-Maintain focus for periods
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Technicians possess?
Patrick Tracy: -Work well with a team
-Work well alone
-Communicate calmly and clearly
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Patrick Tracy: -Ability to work with and repair instruments and machinery
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Technicians earn the most?
Patrick Tracy: -I tend to think technical jobs like this to be fairly pegged to a salary scale rather than negotiable.
-Experience in most, if not all, clinical lab areas, but especially in blood bank and microbiology
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorAgnes Scott College
Biology and Neuroscience Department
What skills stand out on Medical Laboratory Technician resumes?
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.: Animal handling or work with animal model systems, science presentations at the symposium, internships or independent research projects, inquiry-given lab experiences
What soft skills should all Medical Laboratory Technicians possess?
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.: Teamwork, leadership, working with a diverse team.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.: Ability to run PCRs, ability to run gel electrophoresis, statistical analysis
What skills will help Medical Laboratory Technicians earn the most?
Jennifer Larimore Ph.D.: A combination of the skills listed in 1-3.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Ruth Ann Murphy Ph.D.: Nothing negative in Chemistry as far as employability! The pandemic may have created actually more interest in science careers among our students as they think how they could help with developing new vaccines, predicting outbreaks, etc.
What's a good job out of college for Medical Laboratory Technicians?
Ruth Ann Murphy Ph.D.: -Graduate School in Chemistry! There is a shortage of graduate students in Chemistry so this is a great time to go. Chemistry is one of the few fields where they pay you to attend Graduate School. You can earn about $30k per year with benefits (!) while improving your employability! With an advanced degree such as a Master's (doable in as little as one year), one can then teach in colleges and universities. In Chemistry, you can go directly to a PhD program, bypassing the Master's degree. Those holding post-baccalaureate degrees earn on average more than those with a bachelor's degree.
-Environmental! Climate change is here and there is a need for scientists to deal with it as well as to keep the non-science sector of the public informed. You can work for an environmental company as some of our graduates do, or for an agency such as the EPA, or TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality). I know a PhD Organic Chemist who headed the Austin, TX Air Quality program.
-Teaching Chemistry - High School, Middle School, etc. This can be done without any education courses, via Alternative Certification. The need for Chemistry teachers in Texas is critical! Students can get their student loans forgiven if they commit to teaching Chemistry in high school for a set period of time.
-Health professions. Health care careers are "recession-proof." The need for competent health care continues. With its critical thinking emphasis, a Chemistry major is great training for future physicians, dentists, pharmacists, physician assistants, and more.
-Pharmaceutical Research. Develop new and better medications!
-Forensic Science. There are great jobs for chemists with the Texas Department of Public Safety and other such agencies. I know some of these and the head of the Albuquerque, NM Crime Lab was at one time a PhD Chemist I know.
What will help Medical Laboratory Technicians increase their earning potential?
Ruth Ann Murphy Ph.D.: Graduate degrees, postdoctoral work, experience, internships while in college, continuing education, attendance at short courses such as those offered by the American Chemical Society, a strong work ethic, a good personality.
What experience really stands out on Medical Laboratory Technician resumes?
John Cooper Ph.D.: Employers want experience. In the sciences, research is one of the most important experiences that students can obtain. Research allows students to get in-depth hands-on training solving real world problems by putting into practice what they have learned in their labs and lectures. It also allows students to communicate their findings both in peer-reviewed publications and scientific conferences. Research experience is not only a top priority for employers, it is also required for admission to top medical schools and graduate schools in the sciences.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Medical Laboratory Technicians?
John Cooper Ph.D.: One of the most amazing impacts of the pandemic was the rapidity to which students and employees had to adapt to new online modes of communications and scheduling for large interactive groups. This was already a trend in the sciences where multi-disciplinary teams were geographically dispersed, but now it is a universally expected skill set, and this adoption took place in less than a year. Students who took classes during the pandemic were exposed to a wide-range of teaching and training pedagogies. Virtual labs, at home delivered lab kits, hybrid labs with students both in person and online, and every possible delivery method that can be imagined for lectures became the norm. Our students were unintentionally part of a great experiment where they were able to evaluate what works well and what does not work so well. Whether they know it or not, this knowledge will guide them as they make future decisions in their careers about the best ways to communicate, train, and interact with their peers, employees, and employers. Our graduates are the leaders of the future, and the successful ones will find this experience to have been invaluable.