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Job outlook for pathology laboratory technologists in the United States
Are pathology laboratory technologist jobs in demand?
Pathology laboratory technologist job and salary trends over time
Pathology laboratory technologist jobs over time
Pathology laboratory technologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 199 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 204 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 204 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 201 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 202 | 0.00% |
Average pathology laboratory technologist salary over time
Pathology laboratory technologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,812 | $20.10 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $40,676 | $19.56 | --0.7% |
| 2023 | $40,969 | $19.70 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $39,952 | $19.21 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $39,182 | $18.84 | +0.9% |
Pathology laboratory technologist jobs by state
Most common states for pathology laboratory technologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 328 | 24% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,543 | 22% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 188 | 22% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 137 | 22% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 156 | 21% |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 136 | 20% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 190 | 18% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 213 | 16% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 121 | 16% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 469 | 15% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 154 | 15% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 89 | 15% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,236 | 14% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,031 | 14% |
| 15 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 941 | 14% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 776 | 14% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 399 | 14% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 879 | 13% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 264 | 13% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 225 | 13% |
Most common cities for pathology laboratory technologists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tucson | 3 | 1% | $51,521 |
| 2 | Fort Collins | 1 | 1% | $43,756 |
| 3 | Frederick | 1 | 1% | $45,146 |
| 4 | Rochester | 1 | 1% | $41,501 |
| 5 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $49,114 |
| 6 | Mesa | 1 | 0% | $51,756 |
| 7 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $51,855 |
| 8 | Riverside | 1 | 0% | $48,789 |
Pathology Laboratory Technologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of pathology laboratory technologist experts
Northern Michigan University
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Saint Cloud State University
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Kettering University
University of California - Davis
Pennsylvania State University
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Colby-Sawyer College
University of Minnesota
Missouri University of Science and Technology
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
University of New Mexico
Arkansas State University - Jonesboro
Palm Beach State College
Southeastern Louisiana University
The University of New Hampshire's Central Science
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA
Assistant Professor / MLS Program DirectorNorthern Michigan University
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, And Treatment Professions
What Pathology Laboratory Technologist 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.
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 Pathology Laboratory Technologist?
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.
Patricia Ellinger
Medical Laboratory Science FacultySaint Cloud State University
Medical Laboratory Science
What hard/technical skills are most important for Pathology Laboratory Technologists?
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's a good job out of college for Pathology Laboratory Technologists?
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 are the biggest trends we'll see in the Pathology Laboratory Technologist job market given the pandemic?
Daniel Ludwigsen: In responding to this and other questions, I'm considering the perspective of graduates from my programs, with a bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics or Applied Physics. Most of our grads are looking at full-time positions in engineering, particularly R&D and product development, or consulting/project engineering directly with their employers' customers. In sectors that are in demand, these positions are seeing an accelerated shift in the ways of working-just like we see in most professions. Working at least a portion of the week at home, less travel, more video conferencing, all force employees to sharpen their essential skills in communication, project management, and basically, working with diverse teams.
What Pathology Laboratory Technologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Daniel Ludwigsen: Graduates from our programs often find that graduate degrees, masters, or even doctorates, fit into their career trajectories well. If I were advising a graduating senior considering a gap year, I would suggest a certificate program in a relevant field, such as programming, data science, or similar areas. While these incorporate broadly applicable skills as well as valuable disciplinary perspective, these certificate programs often offer credit that can later be applied toward a graduate degree.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pathology Laboratory Technologists?
Tonya Kuhl: There will be an impact on graduates in that finding their first career position will likely require more effort and may take longer. It is harder for small companies to onboard and train new employees because they may lack the infrastructure to do this remotely. Beyond hiring delays, I would not anticipate an "enduring" impact.
What experience really stands out on Pathology Laboratory Technologist resumes?
Tonya Kuhl: Everyone who graduates has the degree, but it is a graduate's individual experience, their personality, and what they are passionate about that sets them apart. Looking for ways to contribute positively in their work experience from working fast food to internships, extracurricular clubs such as participating in their student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering, leadership, and community service. Given the increase in remote collaboration and hands-off operation, automation, process control and systems engineering skills will really standout. A link to a portfolio of their coding projects on GitHub would be a great way to demonstrate their coding skills.
What skills stand out on Pathology Laboratory Technologist resumes?
Patrick Drohan Ph.D.: The academic skills are very important, experience in academic clubs like soil judging or weed judging (your niche), but more important is a diversity of experience with working in labs while in school, having summer jobs tied to your career, etc. - working at Dairy Queen in your home town may not be the best idea anymore if you are trying to out-compete others for entry-level work, and frankly, there is plenty of work out there if you are willing to move.
Dr. Justin Smoyer Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Experimental Physics & EngineeringKutztown University of Pennsylvania
Department of Physical Sciences
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pathology Laboratory Technologists?
Dr. Justin Smoyer Ph.D.: Yes. Where I think graduates will see a lasting impact of the coronavirus pandemic will be in the expectation of employers. While not all meetings will take place over video after the pandemic, I think you will find that employers will have certain expectations in terms of the flexibility of their employees. Graduates will be expected to have the ability to work in a lab, work from home, work on the road, etc. This means that graduates will have to be versed in technology particularly in terms of communication tools. In general, the professional world will be smaller. Meetings, conferences, workshops, etc., will be able to take place without the need to travel. While this ability to share and gain knowledge without having to travel long distances will be a benefit to graduates, this also means that as employers look for job candidates, they will be able to consider applications from all over the world and the competition for jobs will be fierce.
Dr. Mark Zappi Ph.D.
Professor of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette
Department of Chemical Engineering
What experience really stands out on Pathology Laboratory Technologist resumes?
Dr. Mark Zappi Ph.D.: Good grades, research experiences, proven leadership, and industry experiences. Rarely, but great to see, technical publications and presentations - outside of the university - such as technical conferences and printed papers in journals.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pathology Laboratory Technologists?
Chery Whipple Ph.D.: The pandemic has severely reduced and limited undergraduate students' ability to complete internships, travel for a semester abroad, and participate in project-based courses (especially those that work with the local community or travel to other parts of the country). It is these experiences that truly resonate with the student and allow them to apply the skills learned in class, make novel connections, network with other institutions, and collaborate directly with others. While much work can be accomplished through online platforms, it cannot completely substititue for the long-term connection achieved from meeting in-person.
The benefits of in-person communication, especially at small colleges, is immeasurable. So much is communicated non-verbally. As a freshman, it is in the first year where students meet and make lasting connections with fellow students and new professors. Over time, a class camaraderie develops, fostering confidence in individual students such that they are comfortable asking questions and contributing to class discussions. Moreover, in science classes, many essential skills are learned by conducting experiments in a laboratory; skills that cannot be achieved remotely. Since the pandemic will likely span at least three semesters, many of our incoming students will need to work diligently over the next two to three years to become competent in the foundational laboratory skills we expect from a student graduating with a B.S. in Biology, Chemistry, or Environmental studies.
Once the country is open, the competition for job openings, study abroad programs, and in-person internships will be fierce. Undergraduates, in particular, will be vying for the enriching leadership and research opportunities that help them determine their career path as well as to set them apart from other fellow applicants who are (or will be) applying to similar jobs and/or graduate school. Ultimately, it will become challenging for recent or soon-to-be graduates to really stand out and thus may increase the length of time it takes to find a job within their field of discipline.
What type of skills will young Pathology Laboratory Technologists need?
Chery Whipple Ph.D.: The ability to be flexible and adaptable to new challenges has always been an asset to young graduates, however, in this quickly changing working environment it will be more important than ever. Being able to think critically, integrate information across disciplines, and collaborate with others will be essential skills. I think the pandemic has also shown that being able to rapidly learn and utilize new (and diverse) technology is not only a highly sought after skill, it is required.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Pathology Laboratory Technologist job market given the pandemic?
Janice Conway-Klaassen Ph.D.: For medical laboratory sciences, the pandemic has highlighted our career and who we are. The public now has a greater awareness of our field, but it has also provided additional job opportunities to help with COVID-19 testing. Although many graduates in other fields are struggling to find employment during the pandemic, our graduates have not had any trouble finding a job. There does seem to be an increase in part-time or temporary positions being offered at the start, but most have been converted to full time, permanent within a few months of hire.
Dr. Rainer Glaser
Professor and ChairMissouri University of Science and Technology
Chemistry Department
What skills stand out on Pathology Laboratory Technologist resumes?
Dr. Rainer Glaser: Chemistry competence is key, of course. As a close second, chemists need to demonstrate effective team player competence. Communication skills are essential, in conversation and in writing. Effective collaboration requires highly developed skills to work with team members, peers, and leadership.
Christopher Bae Ph.D.
Professor, Department ChairUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa
Department of Anthropology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pathology Laboratory Technologists?
Christopher Bae Ph.D.: Yes and no. Obviously, hiring in anthropology, like most academic fields, has become more difficult now because of the economic impact of COVID-19 worldwide. However, anthropology graduates are still managing to find job placement in postdoctoral research fellowships, cultural resource management firms, and non-governmental organizations. The applied areas of anthropology are where positions can still be found fairly regularly. Moving forward, however, I anticipate a rebound, like in most fields, of hires more broadly in anthropology.
What type of skills will young Pathology Laboratory Technologists need?
Christopher Bae Ph.D.: Several things really make a resume stand out when hitting the job market. First and foremost, experience in the field and/or laboratory and the ability to show that one is capable of starting a project from scratch and seeing it through to final completion (as evidenced from resulting conference presentations and publications). Undergraduate students should try to gain experience as interns and in field schools. This gives them some experience, and they get a chance to see whether the field is right for them. Graduate students need to develop advanced analytical skills as they work through their qualitative and quantitative datasets. Having a high grade point average can help as well if the hiring firm requests academic transcripts.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Pathology Laboratory Technologist job market given the pandemic?
Benjamin Ford: The pandemic has laid bare many of the inequities in American societies. Suddenly many more citizens are 'woke'. As a discipline that has always excelled at critically analyzing human systems, Anthropology is well positioned to help Americans work in this new landscape. This will translate into more jobs for people with anthropological training. For example, the hospital systems will benefit from employing global health practitioners who have a broad view of healthcare and who are well versed in how to navigate health disparities. The infrastructure projects that will likely begin as the nation gets back on its feet will also need trained archaeologists to complete the cultural resource management requirements.
What Pathology Laboratory Technologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Benjamin Ford: Students taking a gap year should think about where they want to end up, both geographically and in terms of a career, and position themselves accordingly. That might mean moving to where they eventually want to live, taking a job to pay the bills, and volunteering with an organization to build local contacts. They should also work to develop the skills that will make them necessary in their intended career. The world became much more digital in the last nine months. We will likely return to many of our pre-pandemic physical practices, but aspects of our remote-everything existence will likely stick with us. Developing skills to be successful in a digital environment will be important.
What experience really stands out on Pathology Laboratory Technologist resumes?
Dr. Bruce Huckell Ph.D.: In terms of archaeology, for employers in the governmental and private sectors, I think experience in field work and laboratory analysis is what is most desired when considering folks with bachelor's degrees. In those same employment settings, master's and doctoral graduates who have good writing skills need the knowledge of appropriate legal regulations and museum methods and the ability to organize and supervise workers. In the academic realm, where a doctoral degree is needed in most instances, skills in research, teaching, and pubic/professional service are the key realms in which experience must stand out.
What skills stand out on Pathology Laboratory Technologist resumes?
Dr. Stacy Walz Ph.D: Resiliency, quick-to-learn, team player, excellent communication skills, experience with molecular testing methods, attention to detail, initiative.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Pathology Laboratory Technologists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Stacy Walz Ph.D: This all depends on what a graduate is looking for: urban vs. rural, fast-paced vs. slower-paced, larger facility vs. smaller facility, 24/7/365 vs. M-F 8-5, etc. There is something available for everyone in this country right now in the field of CLS.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pathology Laboratory Technologists?
Dr. Alexandra Gorgevska Ph.D.: Only time will tell. However, I feel that this pandemic has brought our students' and alumni's resilience and adaptability to the forefront. With most laboratories limiting the number of employees present, most are not taking on in-person interns at this time. However, they are working with our program to provide remote experiences for our students and provide invaluable support.
Our students have taken time to listen and research the science, found ways to overcome the adversities that have come their way and continue to have a positive outlook. The students in our program are following social distancing guidelines and adapting to the changing learning environments. I believe their resilience and resolve will only add to their successes in life and make them better scientists for it.
What type of skills will young Pathology Laboratory Technologists need?
Dr. Alexandra Gorgevska Ph.D.: Graduates [of all ages] will continue to need hands-on skills, the ability to work both in the group and individual settings, and, most importantly, be curious and teachable. Soft skills have taken on greater importance over the years, so we provide ongoing events for outreach, scientific communication, interview preparation, etc., to help provide students with ways to improve and grow their soft skills.
We are seeing scientific communications transitioning from in-person to remote settings, and our students are excelling at rising to the challenges. South Florida has a diverse life science career field, and our students continue to be well prepared to enter the job market and succeed in their career paths.
What experience really stands out on Pathology Laboratory Technologist resumes?
Dr. Alexandra Gorgevska Ph.D.: The Palm Beach State College Biotechnology Program is a very hands-on intensive training program that ensures our graduates are well versed in fundamental life science laboratory techniques and sterile/aseptic techniques and instrumentation skills. As part of our program, students can earn two College Credit Certificates along with an A.S. degree that includes an industry internship experience.
We are very fortunate to have an excellent relationship with our business partners who are familiar with our facilities, worked with us for many years, and are aware of the vast instrumentation and hands-on training our students receive. They continue to provide career opportunities for our students and interns.
Mohammad Saadeh Ph.D.
Department HeadSoutheastern Louisiana University
Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Pathology Laboratory Technologists in the next 3-5 years?
Mohammad Saadeh Ph.D.: IoT and automation.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Pathology Laboratory Technologists in the next 5 years?
Mohammad Saadeh Ph.D.: There will be an increase; however, employers will be looking for a unique set of qualities/abilities. Some of the trends have been: technical writing, sales, communication, besides the technical skills, which must be current with the evolution in communication methods that we are experiencing.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pathology Laboratory Technologists?
Glen P. Miller: Yes, there will be many enduring impacts. Office spaces and buildings will be devalued somewhat, while remote work and virtual meetings have become and will remain important. In chemistry and tangential fields, there will always be a need for in-person work in specialized laboratories, but the manner in which we communicate results internally and externally has changed. There will be less emphasis on in-person communication and a greater emphasis on remote and electronic communication, including email and video reports/presentations. Business travel will drop while skills that enable effective electronic communication will play an even larger role than they already do. Writing skills, including but not limited to technical writing, will become an increasingly valued characteristic of top employees. An ability to speak in a clear, articulate manner will also be prized. None of this, however, supersedes the need for graduates with a robust background in chemistry and a strong work ethic to match.
What experience really stands out on Pathology Laboratory Technologist resumes?
Glen P. Miller: Research experiences stand out on a resume, especially those leading to scientific publication in peer-reviewed journals or professional presentations (either poster or oral) at scientific meetings. Internships and/or previous employment in the field also stand out.
How do you envision technology impacting Pathology Laboratory Technologists in the next 5 years?
Glen P. Miller: The chemistry field is constantly impacted by advancements in scientific instrumentation, hardware, and software, especially those that cut across adjacent fields like biology and materials science. Job seekers should be well-grounded in current technologies while aware of recent developments and trends.
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.
Professor of Biological Sciences (Emeritus) & Teaching & Learning ConsultantUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Biological Sciences Department
What Pathology Laboratory Technologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.: The answers here depend on why the gap year is needed. If the need is to have an income, this would need to be balanced against other desirable needs and wishes.
- Thinking about a whole gap year, the student should make a long-term commitment to skills improvement and fill in gaps in a resume or job application.
-If the new graduate can afford it, spend some time traveling, to be exposed to different cultures and languages. If the student lives in an area with a growing LatinX population, learning some Spanish would be useful.
-If it looks like the gap year will not include activities related to the job they hope to get at the end of the year, then take at least one STEM course in their area of interest so as not to lose their edge. This could be an online course (for example, a MOOC). Do it for credit if necessary, to prove (to themselves and others) that they still love and want to succeed in science.
What experience really stands out on Pathology Laboratory Technologist resumes?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.: -A strong academic record, especially in the sciences.
-For any applicant, a research experience with a faculty or private-sector mentor is always a stand-out. Whether or not for academic credit, a valuable experience does not require that research efforts be successful. However, it will be supported by listing the mentor among the job applicant's academic references.
-The applicant should provide a written description of any independent research (laboratory or other) to be appended to the job application and cover letter. This document should communicate a clear understanding of the project and their role in it. I used to have my undergrad independent study researchers talk about their projects at weekly lab meetings. By the time they were looking for a job (or, for that matter, applying to grad school), I wanted these students to be able to articulate hypotheses being tested, to show how their experimental design would test predictions of alternative results, and finally to discuss their progress and any results obtained from their piece of the project. The ability to write clearly about their independent study goals and experience will reflect communication skills, a measure of scientific understanding, and their enthusiasm and pleasure of "doing science."
-Extracurricular activities that include collaborative work (team sports are suitable for this).
-Extracurricular volunteer activities that expose students to social situations outside of family, friends, and classmates. An ability to write about these experiences engagingly is always a stand-out asset.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Pathology Laboratory Technologists in the next 3-5 years?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.: -In any STEM field, predicting, recognizing, and fighting climate change looms large. In the life sciences, detecting the effects of environmental change at the species, individual, cellular, and molecular level will be increasingly necessary.
-Medical science will need to respond to new challenges arising out of climate change and the aging population. Supported (as always) by basic sciences, medical science will focus on big-picture biology, represented by the ever-growing number of "...omics". These include genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics... and the enabling technologies that let us look at a lot of genes, gene products, and biochemical reactions at the same time. Finally, the ever-improving gene-editing technologies can lead to the treatment of disease, leading to a greater understanding of the disease and biological process in general.