Medical Laboratory Science
Health Professions · federal classification: Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $37,922 | $33,542 to $44,756 | 96 | 59% |
| Associate's Degree | $55,893 | $50,682 to $62,166 | 69 | 100% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $73,353 | $66,301 to $80,233 | 102 | 100% |
| Master's Degree | $83,306 | $75,012 to $96,592 | 15 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +6% (2025 to 2035), about 75,300 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $107,310 | +17.9% | 24,900 |
| Phlebotomists | $45,230 | +6.8% | 18,000 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,290 | +5.9% | 12,400 |
| Medical Equipment Preparers | $47,700 | +10.8% | 10,700 |
| Surgical Technologists | $64,650 | +5% | 7,100 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | $39,460 | +2.2% | 2,200 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Where this is studied
The 8 colleges where the most students complete a medical laboratory science program, of 802 that report one. Ordered by number of completions only: this is where people study it, not a judgement about where to.
- Northwest Career College
- Contra Costa Medical Career College
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Grand Canyon University
- MTI College
- Ivy Tech Community College
- University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Front Range Community College
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.