Histology Technicians

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Histotechnologists
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Direct advancement using histology methods, slide preparation, tissue processing, QA, and instrument troubleshooting.

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Occupation snapshot

What does this snowflake show?
The Snowflake is a visual summary of the five badges: Automation Risk (calculated), Risk (polled), Growth, Wages and Volume. It gives you an instant snapshot of an occupations profile. The colour of the Snowflake relates to its size. The better the occupation scores in relation to others, the larger and greener the Snowflake becomes.
JOB SCORE
3.9/10
What's this?
Job Score (higher is better):

We rate jobs using four factors. These are:

- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions

These are some key things to think about when job hunting.

Risk & user votes

Calculated automation risk

66% (High Risk)

High Risk (61-80%): This occupation shows a significant risk of end-to-end replacement by automation. Many core parts of the role may be structured, repeatable, software-driven, or physically predictable enough for AI, machines, or robotic systems to take over. If you work in this area, it may be worth exploring safer related careers or moving towards more human-centred responsibilities.

More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.

Human strengths important in this job

These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.

Decision-making and problem solving

Quite important
Why this matters
Analyze information, weigh tradeoffs, and choose the best solution—especially when situations are ambiguous, high-stakes, or have real-world consequences.
Jobs that also use this strength

What users think

Based on 28 votes

54% chance of full automation within the next two decades

Our visitors have voted they are unsure if this occupation will be automated. However, the automation risk level we have generated suggests a much higher chance of automation: 66% chance of automation.

What do you think the risk of automation is?

What is the likelihood that Histology Technicians will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?

View sentiment trend

Pay & outlook

Wages

Moderately paid relative to other professions

In 2024, the median annual wage for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians was $61,890 ($30 per hour).

The median annual wage for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians was 25.0% higher than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Growth

Slow growth relative to other professions.

The number of 'Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians' job openings is expected to rise 1.7% by 2034

* Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the period between 2023 and 2033
Updated projections are due 09-2025.

Volume

Significantly greater range of job opportunities compared to other professions

As of 2024 there were 343,040 people employed as 'Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians' within the United States.

This represents around 0.22% of the employed workforce across the country

Put another way, around 1 in 449 people are employed as 'Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians'.

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What people are saying (3)

WA HT
25 Jun 2025 04:06
At the time of commenting, this page reads, "These jobs consist primarily of repetitive, predictable tasks with little need for human judgment."
This is... fully not true.
Histology involves tons of human judgment and case-by-case variability. That's not even mentioning the need for finger dexterity and fine motor skill flexibility. Won't be automated anytime soon (if ever!).
An exception is auto-stainers, but even those need human techs to repair and maintain.
Mary (Low)
24 Jun 2025 19:08
I am a histology technician and troubleshooting is too complex and needed too often for a robot to do anytime soon. Every slide needs to be evaluated immediately for quality before being stained and each block needs different treatment.
H (Low)
04 Feb 2025 20:00
Because a lot of factors have to be played in when it comes to a job in histology, for example, tissue thickness, the processing of tissue cutting differently and at different speeds, depending on what kind of tissue it is and visual necessities, because sometimes you need to be able to look at your waterbath to see if a tissue section is adequately faced
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Job description

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

O*NET-SOC code: 29-2012.01