by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 34 U.S. colleges awarded 663 degrees and certificates in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 51% of graduates. College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $27,519 one year after completing, rising to $35,634 after four years.
A major in Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant covers Clinical/medical Laboratory Assistant. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Physicians Or Laboratory Scientists Or Technologists, To Perform Waived Testing Procedures (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Of 1988), Phlebotomy, And Other Duties In Support Of Laboratory Teams. Includes Instruction In Clinical Procedures, Various Laboratory Tests, Laboratory Mathematics, Computer Technology, Equipment Operation And Maintenance, Sterilization And Safety, Communications Skills, And Interpersonal Skills.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, clinical/medical laboratory assistant draws strong interest, with 663 degrees awarded annually. 34 colleges award clinical/medical laboratory assistant degrees, an average of 20 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 287.
By level, the 663 awards include 31 certificates, 341 associate degrees, 12 bachelor’s degrees and 190 master’s degrees.
Women earned 85% of clinical/medical laboratory assistant degrees and certificates in the latest year (566 of 663). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (353) and White (169), and international students earned 4.
College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant Schools ranking, including 4 for associate degrees and 1 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks clinical/medical laboratory assistant schools within 5 states. In all, 34 colleges offer clinical/medical laboratory assistant programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common clinical/medical laboratory assistant credential is the associate degree: 341 of the 663 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to clinical/medical laboratory assistant call most for Active Listening, Critical Thinking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Biology, English Language and Chemistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Oral Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a clinical/medical laboratory assistant degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 31 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 341 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 190 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to clinical/medical laboratory assistant, at 34.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 34.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 16.3% |
| Master’s degree | 9.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.5% |
| Some college courses | 6.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| First professional degree | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant, with an average median salary of $94,431; the strongest outlook belongs to Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians, at 12.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Histologic Aide, Histotechnician, Mohs Technician (Mohs Tech) and Histology Technician (HT).
The occupation related to clinical/medical laboratory assistant with the most projected jobs is Histology Technicians, at 2,948,902.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Histology Technicians | 2,948,902 | -0.2% |
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians | 1,550,596 | 12.4% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant graduates earn a median $27,519 one year after completing their program, $35,634 after four years and $32,689 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,519 |
| 4 years | $35,634 |
| 5 years | $32,689 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to clinical/medical laboratory assistant, with a median salary of $155,908.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians | $155,908 |
| Histology Technicians | $80,721 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Assistant has 12 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 83,652 degrees a year; the largest are Medical/Clinical Assistant (55,276), Pharmacy Technician/Assistant (8,060) and Physical Therapy Assistant (5,489). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Medical/Clinical Assistant | 55,276 |
| Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | 8,060 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 5,489 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Other | 4,386 |
| Emergency Care Attendant (EMT Ambulance) | 4,277 |
| Occupational Therapist Assistant | 3,204 |
| Radiologist Assistant | 1,676 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | 497 |
| Speech-Language Pathology Assistant | 304 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant | 258 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
