Best institutions to study Blood Bank Technology Specialist
A program that prepares individuals to perform routine and specialized blood testing procedures, collect and process blood donations, and support physicians and other clinicians administering transfusion therapy.
13 U.S. institutions graduated 227 Blood Bank Technology Specialist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1001, a specialization of Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10), and leads most directly to the Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1071).
About Blood Bank Technology Specialist programs
A program that prepares individuals to perform routine and specialized blood testing procedures, collect and process blood donations, and support physicians and other clinicians administering transfusion therapy. Includes instruction in basic cellular biology, immunohematology, blood bank procedures, blood typing, antigen and antibody identification tests, hemolytic and transfusion responses and diseases, donor selection, blood drawing and storage, blood separation, viral marker testing, laboratory and personnel supervision, safety and sterilization, and applicable laws and regulations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Blood Bank Technology Specialist program prepares individuals for a vital role in healthcare, focusing on routine and specialized blood testing procedures. This program is designed for those interested in supporting physicians and clinicians in administering transfusion therapy and managing blood donations safely and effectively.
Students will gain knowledge in cellular biology, immunohematology, blood bank procedures, and various testing methods. Coursework also covers donor selection, blood storage, safety regulations, and laboratory supervision, equipping graduates with essential skills for the field.
Credentials awarded
What Blood Bank Technology Specialist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years138 graduates / yr · 6 institutions61%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year55 graduates / yr · 3 institutions24%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate14 graduates / yr · 1 institution6.2%
- Award of less than 12 weeks10 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.4%
- Master's degree6 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.6%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.8%
Graduates over time
Blood Bank Technology Specialist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,015 |
| 2013 | 321 |
| 2014 | 153 |
| 2015 | 173 |
| 2016 | 151 |
| 2017 | 208 |
| 2018 | 214 |
| 2019 | 305 |
| 2020 | 224 |
| 2021 | 280 |
| 2022 | 319 |
| 2023 | 265 |
| 2024 | 241 |
| 2025 | 227 |
Top 13 institutions for Blood Bank Technology Specialist, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unitech Training Academy - West Monroe West Monroe, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 59% | $25,053 | $23,699 |
| 2 | Unitech Training Academy - Lafayette Lafayette, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 55% | $25,472 | $23,699 |
| 3 | Unitech Training Academy - Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 50% | $22,687 | $23,699 |
| 4 | Western Nebraska Community College Scottsbluff, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 37% | — | — |
| 5 | Southwest Tennessee Community College Memphis, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 19% | — | — |
| 6 | Unitech Training Academy - Alexandria Alexandria, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 55% | $20,968 | $23,699 |
| 7 | Unitech Training Academy - Houma Houma, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 57% | $21,938 | $23,699 |
| 8 | Rush University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 14 | — | — | — |
| 9 | Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus Roswell, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 32% | — | — |
| 10 | Carolinas College of Health Sciences Charlotte, NCPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 10 | 100% | — | $62,885 |
| 11 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Galveston, TXPublicMaster'sMaster's | 9 | — | — | $59,591 |
| 12 | Unitech Training Academy - New Orleans New Orleans, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 42% | $24,599 | $23,699 |
| 13 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 84% | $29,789 | $40,630 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 8 states
Where Blood Bank Technology Specialist graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 6 | 138 | Unitech Training Academy - West Monroe35 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 22 | Western Nebraska Community College22 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 21 | Southwest Tennessee Community College21 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 14 | Rush University14 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 12 | Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell Campus12 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 10 | Carolinas College of Health Sciences10 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 9 | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston9 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 1 | George Washington University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Blood Bank Technology Specialist program can pursue careers as Health Specialties Teachers or Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 17.3% and an annual opening of 27,400 positions, alongside a median wage of $105,620.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1001
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians SOC 29-2012 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Blood Bank Technology Specialist programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise laboratory sessions.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Tools and technology used
Other Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10).
- Phlebotomy Technician/CIP 51.1009
Phlebotomist 10,645 graduates / yr335 institutions - Clinical Laboratory Science/CIP 51.1005
Medical Technology/ Technologist 4,160 graduates / yr233 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1004
Medical Laboratory Technician 3,375 graduates / yr262 institutions - Sterile Processing Technology/CIP 51.1012
Technician 2,477 graduates / yr105 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1099
Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions 806 graduates / yr35 institutions - Histologic TechnicianCIP 51.1008243 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Cytotechnology/CIP 51.1002
Cytotechnologist 137 graduates / yr16 institutions - Histologic Technology/CIP 51.1007
Histotechnologist 98 graduates / yr16 institutions - Hematology Technology/CIP 51.1003
Technician partial data84 graduates / yr3 institutions - Renal/CIP 51.1011
Dialysis Technologist/ Technician partial data77 graduates / yr8 institutions - Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/CIP 51.1006
Technician partial data72 graduates / yr3 institutions - Cytogenetics/CIP 51.1010
Genetics/ Clinical Genetics Technology/ Technologist limited data33 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program typically awards credentials for at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Health Specialties Teacher or a Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 17.3%.
What is the CIP code for Blood Bank Technology Specialist?+
Blood Bank Technology Specialist is CIP 51.1001 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to perform routine and specialized blood testing procedures, collect and process blood donations, and support physicians and other clinicians administering transfusion therapy. Includes instruction in basic cellular biology, immunohematology, blood bank procedures, blood typing, antigen and antibody identification tests, hemolytic and transfusion responses and diseases, donor selection, blood drawing and storage, blood separation, viral marker testing, laboratory and personnel supervision, safety and sterilization, and applicable laws and regulations.
How many institutions offer Blood Bank Technology Specialist programs?+
13 U.S. institutions reported Blood Bank Technology Specialist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 8 states, awarding 227 credentials in the year. That is 1.0% of all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Blood Bank Technology Specialist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Blood Bank Technology Specialist most directly leads to, pays a median of $107,310 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field report median earnings of $23,699 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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