Human edge, steady

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians

Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

AI Resistance Index 45 of 99

In the middle of the pack: more resilient than 45% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +2.7% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on ethical judgement and physical dexterity.

AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.

Median pay (2025): $62,930
Job growth to 2035: +2.7%
Openings a year: 20,800
People doing it (2025): 343,000
Usual route in: Bachelor's degree

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Where people already use AI for this work

Analyze biological or chemical substances or related data
Determine operational methods or procedures
Process digital or online data

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Prepare specimens or materials for testing
Confer with healthcare or other professionals about patient care
Maintain medical equipment or instruments

What the work looks like

Analyze samples of biological material for chemical content or reaction.
Analyze laboratory findings to check the accuracy of the results.
Conduct chemical analysis of body fluids, including blood, urine, or spinal fluid, to determine presence of normal or abnormal components.
Enter data from analysis of medical tests or clinical results into computer for storage.
Collect and study blood samples to determine the number of cells, their morphology, or their blood group, blood type, or compatibility for transfusion purposes, using microscopic techniques.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as laboratory workflows become increasingly automated, allowing clinical laboratory technologists and technicians to perform their tasks more efficiently.
Fewer of these jobs, as physician office laboratories rely on non-laboratory personnel, such as nurses and medical assistants, to perform simple tests.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Agricultural inspectorsHuman edge, steady, Index 62, +2.3%
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all otherHuman edge, steady, Index 46, +2.8%
Nuclear techniciansHuman edge, steady, Index 55, +1.1%
Medical equipment repairersHuman edge, growing, Index 92, +12.6%

Also known as: Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Medical Lab Technologist (Medical Laboratory Technologist), Medical Technologist (MT), Certified Cytogenetic Technologist, Cytogenetics Clinical Laboratory Specialist (CG CLSp), Cytogenetics Specialist, Molecular Genetics Technologist.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.