Medical laboratory scientists require a significant amount of formal education. Learn about the degree, job duties, and certification to see if this is the right career for you.
Essential Information
Medical laboratory scientists, also known as medical laboratory technologists, conduct lab tests related to the detection and cure of diseases. They use complex medical equipment to analyze body fluids or tissue samples for bacterial infection, hormone levels, and other chemical components affecting human health. A bachelor's degree with a major in one of the life sciences can open the door to this career.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Other Requirements | Certification or licensure required in some states |
| Projected Job Growth (2012-2022) | 22% for medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians* |
| Mean Annual Wage (2014) | $60,560 for medical and clinical laboratory technologists* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary of a Medical Laboratory Scientist
Wages for medical laboratory scientists vary based upon experience and job location. The mean annual salary earned by medical and clinical laboratory technologists was $60,560 as of May 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov). Hospitals are the largest employer of medical and clinical laboratory technologists; those working in this environment earned an average salary of $61,600 annually in 2014. However, the highest paying industry, according to the BLS, is pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, paying an average salary of $71,910 as of May 2014. The BLS also states that the projected job outlook for medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is 22% for the years 2012-2022.
Source: bls.gov
