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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

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Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$40,200–$151,000

Time to qualify

4.2 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    National & state licensure

    License

    A national board/registry exam plus a state license application (the NCLEX pattern). Exact exam and fees depend on the role and state.

    $200–$1,000 · 2 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Histotechnologists" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Histotechnologists

    Entry / Junior

    $38,910

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Histotechnologists

    Established

    $62,930

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. 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

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.