Cytotechnologists
Health ScienceO*NET 29-2011.02United States
Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.
- Median annual earnings
- $62,842
- Projected change
- +6.1%
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Employment
- 346.09K jobs
50th percentile, United States
2025 to 2035
86.4% of the workforce
Growing to 367.16K by 2035
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These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.
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The work
What cytotechnologists do
Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.
- Examine cell samples to detect abnormalities in the color, shape, or size of cellular components and patterns.
- Document specimens by verifying patients' and specimens' information.
- Submit slides with abnormal cell structures to pathologists for further examination.
- Prepare and analyze samples, such as Papanicolaou (PAP) smear body fluids and fine needle aspirations (FNAs), to detect abnormal conditions.
- Examine specimens, using microscopes, to evaluate specimen quality.
- Maintain effective laboratory operations by adhering to standards of specimen collection, preparation, or laboratory safety.
- Provide patient clinical data or microscopic findings to assist pathologists in the preparation of pathology reports.
- Assist pathologists or other physicians to collect cell samples by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy or other method.
- Prepare cell samples by applying special staining techniques, such as chromosomal staining, to differentiate cells or cell components.
- Adjust, maintain, or repair laboratory equipment, such as microscopes.
- Assign tasks or coordinate task assignments to ensure adequate performance of laboratory activities.
- Attend continuing education programs that address laboratory issues.
Pay and outlook
What the job pays and where it is heading
Annual earnings range
Reported earnings by percentile, United States
- 10th percentile
- $38,718
- 25th percentile
- $47,478
- 50th percentile
- $62,842
- 75th percentile
- $81,611
- 90th percentile
- $101,595
The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $62,842 and half earn less.
Employment outlook
2025 to 2035 projection
+6.1%faster than average
2025346,085 jobs
2035 projected367,162 jobs
21,077 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.
Preparation
Education levels
What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.
- Bachelor's degree
- 86.4%
- Master's or Professional degree
- 13.6%
Skills
Skills employers ask for
Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.
How the work gets done
Core competencies
Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
- Science
- Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Service Orientation
- Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
In the market
Job titles and employers
Recent job postings in United StatesCommon job titles
- 01Cytotechnologists2,317 postings
- 02Cytologists98 postings
- 03Cytology Supervisors18 postings
- 04Cytopathologists4 postings
- 05Hospital Assistants4 postings
- 06Technologists4 postings
- 07Medical Technologists ASCP2 postings
- 08Travel Technologists2 postings
- 09Cytogenetic Technicians1 postings
- 10Cytotechnicians1 postings
- 11Gynecologists1 postings
Top employers
- 01K&A Recruiting1,061 postings
- 02UVA Health System58 postings
- 03Quest Diagnostics30 postings
- 04AMN Healthcare28 postings
- 05Labcorp27 postings
- 06Trinity Health23 postings
- 07United States Department of Veterans Affairs22 postings
- 08Gqr18 postings
- 09Ingenovis Health18 postings
- 10Amergis17 postings
- 11Staff Icons17 postings
- 12Triage Staffing17 postings
- 13Anders Group16 postings
- 14HCA Healthcare16 postings
- 15Allied Search Partners15 postings
- 16Healthcare Connections15 postings
- 17LeaderStat15 postings
- 18Sonic Healthcare USA14 postings
- 19Genesis Global Group12 postings
- 20Soliant Health12 postings
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