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Cytotechnologists: Career Profile

Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices.

The Daily Work of Cytotechnologists Take On?

The core tasks performed by cytotechnologists span:

• Examine cell samples to detect abnormalities in the color, shape, or size of cellular components and patterns.
• Document specimens by verifying patients' and specimens' information.
• Submit slides with abnormal cell structures to pathologists for further examination.
• Prepare and analyze samples, such as Papanicolaou (PAP) smear body fluids and fine needle aspirations (FNAs), to detect abnormal conditions.
• Examine specimens, using microscopes, to evaluate specimen quality.
• Maintain effective laboratory operations by adhering to standards of specimen collection, preparation, or laboratory safety.
• Provide patient clinical data or microscopic findings to assist pathologists in the preparation of pathology reports.
• Assist pathologists or other physicians to collect cell samples by fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy or other method.

Key Skills and Knowledge

Effective cytotechnologists draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.

Key Skills

These are the skills that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Types of Cytotechnologists Jobs

Common job titles for this role include:

• Certified Cytotechnologist
• Cytologist
• Cytology Applications Specialist
• Cytology Coordinator
• Cytology Technical Specialist
• Cytopathology Technologist
• Cytotechnologist

Job Outlook

There are roughly 2,344,909 cytotechnologists working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +10.3% over the projection horizon.

Salary for Cytotechnologists

Statistic	Value
Annual median	$155,812
Hourly median	$74.91
10th percentile	$89,619
25th percentile	$122,715
75th percentile	$188,909
90th percentile	$222,005

Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.

Tools and Technology

• Expert system software: Ansible software (hot technology)
• Medical software: MEDITECH software (hot technology)
• Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
• Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
• Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)

The Day-to-Day Environment

The on-the-job environment of cytotechnologists tends to involve the following characteristics:

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
• E-Mail
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How to Become Cytotechnologists

Most cytotechnologists positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.

Other Careers to Consider

Similar Occupations

• Microbiologists (Primary-Long)
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists (Primary-Long)
• Physicians, Pathologists (Primary-Short)
• Radiologists (Primary-Long)
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists (Primary-Short)
• Cytogenetic Technologists (Primary-Short)
• Histotechnologists (Primary-Short)
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians (Supplemental)

Top Programs to Study For This Career

Aspiring cytotechnologists typically earn programs in:

Health Professions and Related Programs

5 programs across 1 majors

• Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

1 programs across 1 majors

• Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences

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: 29-2011.02 (Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists).