Histology Technicians: Career Overview
Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.
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What Do Histology Technicians Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of histology technicians span:
- Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
- Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
- Mount tissue specimens on glass slides.
- Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.
- Freeze tissue specimens.
- Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
- Archive diagnostic material, such as histologic slides and blocks.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Successful histology technicians combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Histology Technicians Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Certified Histologic Technician (Certified Histologic Tech)
- Clinical Histology Technician (Clinical Histology Tech)
- Histologic Aide
- Histologic Technician (HT)
- Histologist
- Histology Assistant
- Histology Consultant
- Histology Coordinator
How Many Histology Technicians Are There?
There are about 2,955,520 histology technicians working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to decline by -0.2% over the projection horizon.
Histology Technicians Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $80,721 |
| Hourly median | $38.81 |
| 10th percentile | $47,438 |
| 25th percentile | $64,080 |
| 75th percentile | $97,363 |
| 90th percentile | $114,005 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Tools and Technology
- Medical software: MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for histology technicians tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How to Become Histology Technicians
Entry-level histology technicians positions require an associate’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Microbiologists (Supplemental)
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists (Supplemental)
- Biological Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Chemical Technicians (Supplemental)
- Physicians, Pathologists (Supplemental)
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists (Primary-Short)
- Cytogenetic Technologists (Primary-Short)
- Cytotechnologists (Primary-Short)
Degree Programs
Future histology technicians typically earn programs in:
Health Professions and Related Programs
7 programs across 2 majors
Sources
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-2012.01 (Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians).
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