by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 262 U.S. colleges awarded 3,375 degrees and certificates in Laboratory Technician. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 73% of graduates. College Factual ranks 138 schools in its 2027 Best Laboratory Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $43,086 one year after completing, rising to $50,767 after four years.
Studying Laboratory Technician involves the study of 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. 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, laboratory technician is a popular field of study, with 3,375 degrees awarded annually. 262 colleges award laboratory technician degrees, an average of 13 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 87.
By level, the 3,375 awards include 90 certificates, 2,466 associate degrees, 95 bachelor’s degrees and 366 master’s degrees.
Women earned 82% of laboratory technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,771 of 3,375). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,700) and Hispanic or Latino (567), and international students earned 37.
College Factual ranks 138 schools in its 2027 Best Laboratory Technician Schools ranking, including 114 for associate degrees and 7 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks laboratory technician schools within 37 states. In all, 262 colleges offer laboratory technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Laboratory Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common laboratory technician credential is the associate degree: 2,466 of the 3,375 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to laboratory technician 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:
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How long a laboratory technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 90 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,466 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 95 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 366 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to laboratory technician, 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 Laboratory Technician, 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 Histotechnician, Histologic Aide, Histology Technician (HT) and Histology Lab Assistant (Histology Laboratory Assistant).
The occupation related to laboratory technician 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% |
Laboratory Technician graduates earn a median $43,086 one year after completing their program, $50,767 after four years and $45,731 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,086 |
| 4 years | $50,767 |
| 5 years | $45,731 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to laboratory technician, 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 |
Laboratory Technician has 12 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 19,087 degrees a year; the largest are Phlebotomy Technician/Phlebotomist (10,645), Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist (4,179) and Sterile Processing Technology/Technician (2,477). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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