MLS graduates are well qualified to work in health care, research, industrial environments, and in hospital or clinic laboratories.

Additionally, MLS graduates can use their degrees as building blocks to careers that require MS, PhD, MD, DDS, MBA, DCLS, or other advanced degrees.

In a clinical laboratory setting you might:

• Work in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, molecular pathology, and/or clinical microbiology
• Perform analysis on blood, urine, and other body fluids
• Operate complex instruments to generate scientific data that aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of disease
• Evaluate quality assurance data to ensure accurate and reliable test results
• Use independent judgment and problem-solving abilities
• Develop research projects to evaluate new products and methods
• Provide and participate in continuing education

Additional career opportunities include:

• Environmental chemist
• Research assistant
• Research and product development scientist
• Laboratory administrator
• Laboratory sales representative
• Veterinary and zoo laboratorians
• Continuing education coordinator
• Educator
• Technical representative
• Laboratory computer specialist
• Waste management supervisor
• Epidemiologist
• Industrial laboratorian
• Pharmaceutical laboratorian
• Marketing manager

These jobs are found in various settings including hospitals, research facilities, private industry, public health, pharmaceutical companies, and educational programs.

Median salary and pay

(Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2024)

Military opportunities

MLS graduates can practice their profession in the U.S. military as well. Between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, there are 500 to 600 MLS active duty “lab officer” positions. They practice in settings ranging from spartan field hospitals to tertiary care medical centers as well as research facilities and offer exceptional opportunities for free graduate and post-graduate education.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm (visited February 27, 2025).