A medical technologist is a health care occupation that performs clinical laboratory testing in the medical industry. These professionals use analytical skills to assist medical staff in diagnosis, treatment and patients' responses to their treatments. Work can include a variety of laboratory tests and analysis, as well as preparing specimens, reports and upkeep of laboratory equipment. PayScale, a job compensation database, reported average salaries based on 4,112 individuals employed as medical technologists in December 2010.
Average Salary
Some employers such as hospitals keep clinical laboratories operating 24-hours per day, so some medical technologists work uncommon hours and shifts. Because this occupation is often critical to diagnosing and treating patients promptly, most employers pay hourly and overtime wages. Average salaries range from $19.77 to $26.28 per hour or $41,121 to $54,662 per year. Overtime wages range from $26.78 to $38.72 per hour.
Job Requirements
Because medical technologists perform complex laboratory testing, most employers require a bachelor's degree in medical technology or a life sciences discipline from a school accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Many employers prefer the American Society for Clinical Pathology's Certified Medical Technologist (CMT) or Scientist (CMS) credential as well. Some states also require laboratory personnel to pass a state-administered exam to receive a license to work in a clinical laboratory. Those who obtained a bachelor degree earn average salaries ranging from $38,318 to $48,073 per year. Those who obtained the CMT credential earn average salaries ranging from $43,742 to $57,179 per year.
Employers
Although many medical technologists are employed by general and acute care hospitals, they can also work in other health care and scientific research industries. Acute care hospitals pay average salaries ranging from $43,409 per year to $57,283 per year, and general hospitals pay average salaries ranging from $42,224 to $55,785 per year. Professional analytical/laboratory services pay average salaries ranging from $41,204 to $54,163 per year.
Career Advancement
The skills and education of a medical technologist is often transferable to obtain a graduate degree or be promoted into higher-salaried occupations. Popular future career paths include medical/clinical laboratory supervisor earning average salaries ranging from $43,454 to $66,297 per year. Those who become clinical laboratory scientists earn average salaries ranging from $44,220 to $77,822 per year. After an additional two-years of accredited education and licensing, some medical technologists move into a career as a physician's assistant, earning average salaries ranging from $68,351 to $90,701 per year.
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