Healthcare
Histotechnologists
Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.
Median salary (BLS)
$62,930
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$39k – $101k
Job outlook
+2% (about average)
AI exposure
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 3 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $93,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Histotechnologists
Education
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Histotechnologists
Entry / Junior
$38,910
~2 yrs to advance
Histotechnologists
Established
$62,930
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Histotechnologists
Senior
$81,960
Key skills
A typical day
- •Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
- •Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
- •Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.
- •Compile materials for distribution to pathologists, such as surgical working drafts, requisitions, and slides.
- •Compile and maintain records of preventive maintenance and instrument performance checks according to schedule and regulations.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Healthcare
Explore all- Johns Hopkins University7% admit · $93,000 grad pay
- Harvard University4% admit · $119,000 grad pay
- University of Michigan18% admit · $87,000 grad pay
- Duke University6% admit · $105,000 grad pay
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill19% admit · $73,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.