Best institutions to study Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists, to perform routine medical laboratory procedures and tests and to apply preset strategies to record and analyze data.
262 U.S. institutions graduated 3,375 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1004, 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 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists, to perform routine medical laboratory procedures and tests and to apply preset strategies to record and analyze data. Includes instruction in general laboratory procedures and skills; laboratory mathematics; medical computer applications; interpersonal and communications skills; and the basic principles of hematology, medical microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis.
See also: 41.0101 - Biology/Biotechnology Technology/Technician., 51.0802 - Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician program prepares individuals to perform routine medical laboratory procedures and tests under the supervision of clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists. This program is ideal for those interested in contributing to healthcare by analyzing medical data and supporting patient care through laboratory work.
Students will gain essential skills in laboratory procedures, mathematics, medical computer applications, and communication. Coursework covers the basic principles of hematology, medical microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis.
Credentials awarded
What Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree2,466 graduates / yr · 234 institutions73%
- Award of less than 12 weeks358 graduates / yr · 13 institutions11%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year317 graduates / yr · 25 institutions9.4%
- Bachelor's degree95 graduates / yr · 12 institutions2.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years89 graduates / yr · 9 institutions2.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate48 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.4%
- Master's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,843 |
| 2013 | 4,131 |
| 2014 | 4,547 |
| 2015 | 4,371 |
| 2016 | 4,365 |
| 2017 | 4,078 |
| 2018 | 4,033 |
| 2019 | 4,137 |
| 2020 | 3,758 |
| 2021 | 4,186 |
| 2022 | 3,429 |
| 2023 | 3,225 |
| 2024 | 3,329 |
| 2025 | 3,375 |
Top 50 institutions for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician, 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 | South College Knoxville, TNPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 87 | 42% | $20,346 | $30,446 |
| 2 | Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 58 | 35% | — | $49,401 |
| 3 | Ashland Community and Technical College Ashland, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 57 | 51% | — | — |
| 4 | St Philip's College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 55 | 28% | — | — |
| 5 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 52 | 30% | — | $49,631 |
| 6 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 51 | 50% | — | — |
| 7 | Weatherford College Weatherford, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 35% | — | $17,977 |
| 8 | Henderson Community College Henderson, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 45 | 35% | — | — |
| 9 | Somerset Community College Somerset, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 43 | 43% | — | — |
| 10 | Hopkinsville Community College Hopkinsville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 42 | 45% | — | — |
| 11 | Mercer County Community College West Windsor, NJPublicAssociate's | 40 | 25% | — | — |
| 12 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAssociate's | 36 | 46% | — | $25,923 |
| 13 | Tulsa Community College Tulsa, OKPublicAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 35 | 28% | — | $47,316 |
| 14 | Brookline College - Phoenix Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 34 | 53% | — | $57,179 |
| 15 | Virginia Western Community College Roanoke, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 34 | 40% | — | $31,772 |
| 16 | Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 33 | 31% | — | — |
| 17 | SUNY Broome Community College Binghamton, NYPublicAssociate's | 33 | 23% | — | $53,886 |
| 18 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 33 | 32% | — | $37,354 |
| 19 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 32 | 33% | — | — |
| 20 | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, ALPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 41% | — | $42,551 |
| 21 | Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 29 | 58% | — | — |
| 22 | Phoenix College Phoenix, AZPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 28 | 14% | — | $59,829 |
| 23 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 34% | — | $61,237 |
| 24 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAssociate's | 27 | 40% | — | $23,166 |
| 25 | CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx, NYPublicAssociate's | 27 | 16% | — | — |
| 26 | Danville Community College Danville, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 39% | — | — |
| 27 | Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, ALPublicBachelor's | 26 | 33% | — | $61,612 |
| 28 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 48% | — | — |
| 29 | Rose State College Midwest City, OKPublicAssociate's | 24 | 20% | — | $55,099 |
| 30 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IAPublicAssociate's | 23 | 39% | — | $47,585 |
| 31 | Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Rochester, MNPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 23 | — | — | $70,333 |
| 32 | Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology Delray Beach, FLPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 23 | 76% | $19,718 | $27,358 |
| 33 | Regan Career Institute El Monte, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 100% | — | — |
| 34 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAssociate's | 22 | 31% | — | — |
| 35 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OKPublicAssociate's | 22 | 40% | — | — |
| 36 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TXPublicAssociate's | 22 | 21% | — | — |
| 37 | South Louisiana Community College Lafayette, LAPublicAssociate's | 22 | 30% | — | — |
| 38 | Hazard Community and Technical College Hazard, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 21 | 48% | — | — |
| 39 | Maysville Community and Technical College Maysville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 21 | 56% | — | — |
| 40 | Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton, MOPublicAssociate's | 21 | 21% | — | — |
| 41 | Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PAPublicAssociate's | 21 | 24% | — | $74,011 |
| 42 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicAssociate's | 21 | 48% | — | $51,327 |
| 43 | College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CAPublicAssociate's | 20 | 45% | — | — |
| 44 | Madisonville Community College Madisonville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 20 | 49% | — | $50,702 |
| 45 | Tyler Junior College Tyler, TXPublicAssociate's | 20 | 27% | — | — |
| 46 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 19 | 61% | $35,483 | $47,884 |
| 47 | Asheville - Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville, NCPublicAssociate's | 19 | 40% | — | — |
| 48 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAssociate's | 19 | 18% | — | — |
| 49 | Pima Medical Institute - Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 19 | 68% | $25,466 | — |
| 50 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 18 | 36% | — | — |
* 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 43 states
Where Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1071, Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician program can pursue careers as medical and clinical laboratory technicians. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 17.3% and approximately 27,400 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $105,620, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1004
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 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician 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 - 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
- Blood Bank Technology SpecialistCIP 51.1001227 graduates / yr13 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 degree do I need to become a Clinical Laboratory Technician?+
An Associate's degree is the most common credential awarded for this program.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and laboratory procedures.
What is the job outlook for Clinical Laboratory Technicians?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 17.3%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 262 colleges offering the Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician program in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician?+
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician is CIP 51.1004 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, under the supervision of clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists, to perform routine medical laboratory procedures and tests and to apply preset strategies to record and analyze data. Includes instruction in general laboratory procedures and skills; laboratory mathematics; medical computer applications; interpersonal and communications skills; and the basic principles of hematology, medical microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis.
How many institutions offer Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician programs?+
262 U.S. institutions reported Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 43 states, awarding 3,375 credentials in the year. That is 15.0% of all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician 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 $48,737 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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