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Histotechnologists: Job Description

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.

What Tasks Do Histotechnologists Take On?

The day-to-day responsibilities of histotechnologists cover:

• 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.
• Perform tests by following physician instructions.
• Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
• Prepare substances, such as reagents and dilution, and stains for histological specimens according to protocols.

What Histotechnologists Need to Know

Effective histotechnologists rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.

Key Skills

The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Types of Histotechnologists Jobs

Common job titles for this role include:

• Clinical Lab Manager (Clinical Laboratory Manager)
• Grossing Technician (Grossing Tech)
• Histocompatibility Technologist
• Histologist
• Histology Lab Manager (Histology Laboratory Manager)
• Histology Specialist
• Histology Technologist
• Histotechnician

Employment and Demand

There are about 1,612,133 histotechnologists working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +4.1% over the projection horizon.

Salary for Histotechnologists

Statistic	Value
Annual median	$125,527
Hourly median	$60.35
10th percentile	$69,493
25th percentile	$97,510
75th percentile	$153,544
90th percentile	$181,561

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

Tech Stack

• 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 on-the-job environment of histotechnologists reflects the following characteristics:

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
• Time Pressure
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How to Become Histotechnologists

Most histotechnologists positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.

Other Careers to Consider

Similar Occupations

• Microbiologists (Primary-Long)
• Biological Technicians (Primary-Long)
• Chemical Technicians (Supplemental)
• Physicians, Pathologists (Supplemental)
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists (Primary-Short)
• Cytogenetic Technologists (Primary-Short)
• Cytotechnologists (Primary-Short)
• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians (Primary-Short)

Where to Study

Aspiring histotechnologists commonly pursue programs in:

Health Professions and Related Programs

5 programs across 1 majors

• Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science

About the Data

Statistics shown above are sourced from 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: 29-2011.04 (Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists).