Updated April 24, 2026
Medical Laboratory Technician
Also known as: Biotechnician, Blood and Plasma Laboratory Assistant, Blood Bank Laboratory Technician
Medical laboratory technicians run the tests that drive medical decisions — analyzing blood, tissue, and other specimens to detect diseases and monitor treatments. You'll operate automated analyzers, prepare samples, and troubleshoot instruments that process thousands of tests daily.
Getting Started
How to Become a Medical Laboratory Technician
You can start working as a medical laboratory technician in 2.3 years with $15k-$36k in training — that's faster than most associate-level health care careers but longer than certificate programs like medical assisting.
Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology
2 years · $25,000-$38,000
Complete approved associate degree program or equivalent
MLT(ASCP) Certification Exam
1-2 months · $235
State Licensure (if required)
1 month
Submit Form 1 application and $245 fee to NYSED
· $245
Pass ASCP MLT exam after NYSED eligibility notification
Entry-Level Medical Laboratory Technician
2-3 years
Experienced Medical Laboratory Technician
Ongoing
Optionally apply for limited permit with $50 fee and Form 5
24 mo · $50
ASCP Continuing Education & Recertification
Ongoing (every 3 years) · $100-$300
Optional Specialty Certifications or MLS Bridge
Variable · $1,000-$15,000
Start
Year 2
Year 2
Year 2
Year 2
Year 2
Year 20
Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology
2 years
Complete approved associate degree program or equivalent
MLT(ASCP) Certification Exam
1-2 months
Submit Form 1 application and $245 fee to NYSED
Pass ASCP MLT exam after NYSED eligibility notification
Entry-Level Medical Laboratory Technician
2-3 years
Optionally apply for limited permit with $50 fee and Form 5
24 mo
| Step | Duration | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology | 2 years | $25,000-$38,000 | Complete a two-year Associate's degree from a NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Technician program, including coursework in chemistry and biology plus clinical rotations. |
Complete approved associate degree program or equivalent | — | Or hold ASCP/AMT MLT certification, or license from CA/HI/MT/TN; document with Form 2. | |
MLT(ASCP) Certification Exam | 1-2 months | $235 | Pass the MLT(ASCP) certification exam from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification to become a certified Medical Laboratory Technician. |
State Licensure (if required) | 1 month | — | Obtain state licensure if practicing in states like California, Florida, or New York that require licensure for Medical Laboratory Technicians. |
Submit Form 1 application and $245 fee to NYSED | $245 | Include proof of age 18+, good moral character, education; NYSED reviews for exam eligibility. | |
Pass ASCP MLT exam after NYSED eligibility notification | — | Register via ASCP site within 3-month window; score >=75 required. | |
Entry-Level Medical Laboratory Technician | 2-3 years | — | Begin working as a certified Medical Laboratory Technician, performing laboratory tests and procedures under supervision in hospitals, clinics, or diagnostic laboratories.Starting salary: $60,780/yr |
Optionally apply for limited permit with $50 fee and Form 5 | 24 mo | $50 | Valid up to 2 years non-renewable under lab director supervision while awaiting exam. |
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Overview
What Does a Medical Laboratory Technician Do?
Medical laboratory technicians work primarily in hospital labs, reference laboratories, and clinic settings. Your day splits between operating automated chemistry analyzers, preparing specimens for testing, and performing quality control checks to ensure accurate results.
- Test body fluids like blood or urine using a microscope or automatic analyzer to detect diseases or abnormalities, then enter your findings into a computer.
- Analyze test and experiment results using special mechanical or electrical devices to make sure they meet required standards.
- Set up, maintain, adjust for accuracy, clean, and check that medical laboratory equipment is free from contamination.
- Prepare measured solutions or chemical substances that will be mixed with samples, following standardized formulas or experimental procedures.
- Collect blood or tissue samples from patients while following sterile techniques to prevent contamination.
- Supervise or train other technicians or laboratory assistants.
- Conduct blood tests to prepare for transfusions and count blood cells.
- Obtain samples and grow, separate, and identify microorganisms for analysis.
Tasks from O*NET OnLine
Requirements
Licensing & Certification
You need national certification to work — MLT(ASCP) is the industry standard, though MLT(AMT) is accepted by most employers. Some states also require separate state licensure on top of national certification.
| Credential | Status | Cost | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLT(ASCP) | Required | $215 | Every 3 yr |
| MLT(AMT) | Also accepted | $120-$250 | Every 3 yr |
| State Laboratory License | required_in_some_states | $100-$300 | 12-24 months |
MLT(ASCP) (American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification) — Primary credential proving competency to perform routine clinical laboratory tests accurately
- Exam: MLT(ASCP) Exam: 100 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours 30 minutes. Covers chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology/blood banking, microbiology, urinalysis/body fluids, and laboratory operations. Requires associate degree from accredited MLT program.
- Cost: $215 (application/exam fee). Recertification fee: $80 per 3-year cycle.
- Renewal: 36 continuing education (CE) points per 3-year cycle through the ASCP Credential Maintenance Program (CMP). Points earned via ASCP-approved CE activities, publications, presentations, or college coursework.
MLT(AMT) (American Medical Technologists (AMT)) — Alternative national certification accepted by most employers and state licensing boards
- Exam: MLT(AMT) Exam: 200-210 multiple-choice questions covering major laboratory disciplines at the technician level.
- Cost: $120-$250 (varies by application pathway)
- Renewal: 30 continuing education points per 3-year cycle through AMT's Certification Continuation Program (CCP).
State Laboratory License (State Department of Health or Clinical Laboratory division (varies by state)) — State authorization to perform clinical laboratory testing. Required in about 12 states
- Exam: Most states accept ASCP or AMT certification exam in lieu of a separate state exam. New York and California have additional state-specific requirements.
- Cost: $100-$300 (state application/renewal fee, varies by state)
- Renewal: Continuing education requirements vary by state. Typically 12-24 CE hours per renewal cycle. Some states accept national certification renewal in lieu of separate CE.
About 12 states require separate state licensure beyond national certification, including New York, California, and Florida. New York requires licensure through NYSED's Office of the Professions after you pass your national exam. Most other states accept MLT(ASCP) or MLT(AMT) certification alone, making those locations easier for job mobility.
No interstate compact exists for medical laboratory technicians. You'll need separate licensure in each state where you practice, which can complicate moves between states with different requirements.
Compensation
Medical Laboratory Technician Salary
At $61k median, medical laboratory technicians earn more than medical assistants ($42k) and pharmacy technicians ($39k) but less than respiratory therapists ($70k) and dental hygienists ($87k).
$61k/yr
median annual salary
You'll spend $15k-$36k and 2.3 years to start earning $61k — that's 4-14 months to pay back your training costs once you start working.
Salaries vary by location and setting. Medical Laboratory Technicians in metropolitan areas and specialty practices typically earn more than the national median.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
HealthJob Analysis
Is It Worth It? 20-Year ROI
The 20-year net of $1.146M and break-even by year 3 make medical laboratory technology one of the better associate-degree ROI paths. Low training costs and steady salary growth drive the return — you start earning quickly and the field pays consistent raises for experience.
Medical Laboratory Technician ROI
Net earnings over 20 years
$1.1M
Pre-tax 20-year estimate after required education and training costs; taxes and living expenses excluded.
How the 20-year estimate is calculated
Medical Laboratory Technician Career ROI (20-year net earnings)
Track how education costs and earnings typically accumulate from enrollment through year 20.
Cumulative net earnings (USD)
The full chart keeps 20-year context. The detail chart below zooms in on early pathway years.
Sources: BLS, Accreditor, AccreditorSee Sources and methods.
Early-years detail
Years 0-8
Years 0-8. Scaled to early-year values. Black markers show key checkpoints.
Quick answers
- Is becoming a Medical Laboratory Technician financially worth it?Typical 20-year net estimate: $1.1M (pre-tax, living expenses excluded).
- How much does training cost for a Medical Laboratory Technician?Estimated required education and licensing cost to become a Medical Laboratory Technician: $32k (range used: $25k-$38k). Breakdown: Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology: $32k; MLT(ASCP) Certification Exam: $235; Submit Form 1 application and $245 fee to NYSED: $245.
- How long does it take to become a Medical Laboratory Technician?Typical time to first paycheck is about 2.3 years. Typical time to enter the target Medical Laboratory Technician role is about 2.3 years.
- How do you become a Medical Laboratory Technician?See How to Become for pathway steps, timing, and credential requirements.
Detailed math
How 20-year net is built from each training and career phase.
| Phase | Time window | Gross earnings | Education/training cost | Net contribution | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology Education | Years 0-1 (m0-m23) | $0 | -$31,500 | -$31,500 | |
Complete approved associate degree program or equivalent Education | Year 2 (m24-m24) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
MLT(ASCP) Certification Exam Training/Licensing | Year 2 (m26-m26) | $0 | -$235 | -$235 | |
State Licensure (if required) Training/Licensing | Year 2 (m27-m27) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Submit Form 1 application and $245 fee to NYSED Training/Licensing | Year 2 (m27-m27) | $0 | -$245 | -$245 | |
Pass ASCP MLT exam after NYSED eligibility notification Training/Licensing | Year 2 (m27-m27) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Entry-Level Medical Laboratory Technician Career | Years 2-5 (m27-m62) | $182,340 | $0 | $182,340 | |
Optionally apply for limited permit with $50 fee and Form 5 Career | Year 20 (m240-m240) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
Model reconciliation Reconciliation | Years 0-20 (m0-m239) | $995,625 | $0 | $995,625 | None |
| 20-year totals | $1,177,965 | -$31,980 | $1,145,985 | Matches 20-year ROI formula | |
Sources and methods
Sources
Assumptions
- Pathway sequence and timing follow the cited training and licensing pathway for this role.BLSBLS
- Earnings benchmarks come from cited occupation wage references.BLSBLS
- Education and training cost uses College Scorecard tuition and cited pathway fees when needed.Source unavailable
- Cost allocation follows a model rule: short completed steps post in completion year; longer tuition steps are spread across phase years.Model ruleBLSBLS
- Taxes and living expenses are excluded from this estimate.Model rule
Medical laboratory technology delivers better ROI than most associate-degree health programs. Respiratory therapy costs more and takes longer to break even, while medical assisting pays less despite faster entry.
Future-Proofing
Medical Laboratory Technician Job Outlook (2024–2034)
An aging population drives steady demand for lab testing, as chronic diseases require ongoing monitoring. The 5.2% growth rate reflects consistent need for diagnostic services across all care settings.
10-Year Growth
5.2%
Faster than average
Current Employment
345,600
jobs nationwide
HealthJob Analysis
Will AI Replace Medical Laboratory Technician?
Automated analyzers already handle routine blood chemistry and hematology testing, but medical laboratory technicians remain essential for instrument maintenance, quality control, and processing complex specimens. AI assists with result interpretation at some large labs, but troubleshooting equipment failures and handling unusual samples require human judgment.
Automated analyzers handle routine tests; MLT troubleshoots instruments, runs QA, and handles complex specimens.
ASCP: AI in Clinical Laboratory Science · BLS: Clinical Laboratory Technologists +5% (2023-2033)
Based on evidence-based AI impact methodology
Explore
Careers Similar to Medical Laboratory Technician
These careers require similar associate-level training and offer comparable entry into health care diagnostics and patient care support.
| Occupation | Median Salary | Training Time |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Laboratory Technician | $61k/yr | 2.3 yr |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | $61k/yr | 2.3 yr |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | $61k/yr | 2.3 yr |
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Sources & Data
These references are used to build salary, training-path, and job-outlook estimates shown on this page.
- •Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
- •O*NET OnLine
- •ASCP BOC
- •AMT
- •State licensing boards
- •HealthJob AI Impact Analysis
- •BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
- •NAACLS Program Directory
- •Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS State Data — New York
Data last refreshed: May 2026