Overview
Medical Laboratory Technologists, also called Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), perform complex diagnostic tests on blood, tissue, and other body fluids that physicians use to detect, diagnose, and monitor disease. They work primarily in hospital laboratories, medical and diagnostic labs, and physician offices, often behind the scenes but central to clinical decision-making. Despite slower projected employment growth, about 22,600 openings for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, largely from the need to replace workers who retire or leave the field. If you are detail-oriented, comfortable with complex instrumentation, and want to contribute directly to patient care without always being at the bedside, medical laboratory science is a stable and essential career path.
What is a Medical Laboratory Technologist?
A Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT), also known as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), is a licensed or certified healthcare professional who performs and analyzes a broad range of laboratory tests across multiple disciplines, including hematology, microbiology, chemistry, immunology, and blood banking. Their results inform diagnosis, treatment planning, and disease monitoring for patients across all care settings (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do Medical Laboratory Technologists do?
Medical Laboratory Technologists perform diagnostic testing and maintain the quality and accuracy of laboratory results. Typical responsibilities include:
- Collecting, processing, and analyzing blood, urine, tissue, and other specimens
- Operating and maintaining automated and manual laboratory analyzers
- Performing tests in areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, and blood bank/transfusion services
- Evaluating and interpreting test results for accuracy and clinical significance
- Identifying and troubleshooting abnormal findings or equipment issues
- Following strict safety protocols when handling biohazardous and infectious materials
- Maintaining quality control and quality assurance standards
- Documenting and reporting results in the electronic health record
- Collaborating with physicians, nurses, and pathologists on complex or critical results
- Training and supervising laboratory technicians and support staff
What are the requirements to be a Medical Laboratory Technologist?
Education
- Earn a Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) or a closely related field from a program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The most expeditious route to certification is to ensure that the bachelor's degree program is accredited by NAACLS, which qualifies the graduate to sit for the MLS certification exam within five years of graduation.
Clinical Training
- Clinical rotations are built into NAACLS-accredited MLS programs, providing supervised hands-on experience across laboratory departments before graduation and certification.
Certification
- Most employers require or strongly prefer national certification. The primary credentialing body is:
- American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC): the most widely recognized credentialing organization for laboratory professionals, offering the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS(ASCP)) credential.
- American Medical Technologists (AMT): also offers a Registered Medical Technologist (RMT) credential for eligible candidates.
Licensure
- There are currently 12 states with laboratory personnel licensure requirements: California, Hawaii, Florida, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Louisiana, Nevada, West Virginia, Montana, and Georgia. Puerto Rico also has licensure requirements. Check your state's requirements if you plan to practice in one of these states.
Maintenance and Continuing Education
- ASCP credentials must be maintained through continuing education and periodic recertification. Requirements vary by credential type.
Professional Associations (optional but helpful)
- American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS): the primary professional organization for laboratory professionals, offering advocacy, continuing education, and career resources.
What is a Medical Laboratory Technologist's Salary?
The median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $61,890 in May 2024. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,990.
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
What is a Travel Medical Laboratory Technologist's Salary?
The average annual pay for a Travel Medical Laboratory Technician in the United States is $93,212. This works out to be approximately $44.81 an hour, or the equivalent of $1,792/week or $7,767/month.
References
- American Medical Technologists [AMT]. (n.d.). Home. https://www.americanmedtech.org/
- American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science [ASCLS]. (n.d.). Home. https://www.ascls.org/
- American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification [ASCP BOC]. (n.d.). Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS). https://www.ascp.org/boc/explore-credentials/view-all-credentials/MLS
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences [NAACLS]. (n.d.). About. https://naacls.org/about/
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm
- ZipRecruiter. (2026). Travel Medical Laboratory Technician Salary. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Travel-Medical-Laboratory-Technician-Salary