Clinical/Medical Laboratory graduates earn $75,975 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 17.9%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Health Specialties Teachers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Clinical/Medical Laboratory as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Health and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Clinical/Medical Laboratory is a focused area of study within Health. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $75,975 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 966 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 19,017 students complete it each year. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$64,851
Median Earnings · 4yr
$75,975
Colleges Offering
966
Graduates / Year
19,017
Avg Net Price / yr
$16,831
How Much Do Clinical/Medical Laboratory Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Clinical/Medical Laboratory, a typical graduate earns $75,975, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $60,921 and $92,270, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.
$75,975
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$74,831
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Clinical/Medical Laboratory graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.
$60,92125th pct.
$75,975Median
$92,27075th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $75,975 against an estimated $67,324 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 335 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 19,017 students who complete Clinical/Medical Laboratory programs each year, the majority (37%) earn a doctorate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
28%37%
Doctorate37%
Bachelor's28%
Associate's19%
What Can You Do With a Clinical/Medical Laboratory Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Clinical/Medical Laboratory graduates show up in 3 different occupations, and Health Specialties Teachers pay the most at $107,310/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
Service OrientationSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingActive ListeningCritical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
Top Colleges for Clinical/Medical Laboratory
Not sure where to study Clinical/Medical Laboratory? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Clinical/Medical Laboratory graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Health Programs
Clinical/Medical Laboratory is not the only path through Health: 30 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Clinical/Medical Laboratory program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Clinical/Medical Laboratory a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $75,975 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +17.9% over the next decade, with Health Specialties Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 50,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 966 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
How much do Clinical/Medical Laboratory graduates earn?
$75,975 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $60,921 and $92,270, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Clinical/Medical Laboratory degree?
$64,851 in the first year out. That grows to $75,975 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Clinical/Medical Laboratory degree?
Health Specialties Teachers are one path, and it pays a median of $107,310 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Clinical/Medical Laboratory program take?
Four or more years of graduate study for a Clinical/Medical Laboratory doctorate, on top of the bachelor's or master's you need to get in. This is the standard finishing credential in the field.
How many colleges offer Clinical/Medical Laboratory?
966 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Clinical/Medical Laboratory degree worth it?
$75,975 median earnings four years out against $16,831 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Clinical/Medical Laboratory and Health?
Clinical/Medical Laboratory is the narrower of the two: Health covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Clinical/Medical Laboratory-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Clinical/Medical Laboratory graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Clinical/Medical Laboratory graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Clinical/Medical Laboratory graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Clinical/Medical Laboratory graduates?
Outlook is strong overall: related occupations average +9.9% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Health Specialties Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +17.9%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
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