Histology Technicians

29-2012.01 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Also known as: Certified Histologic Technician (Certified Histologic Tech), Clinical Histology Technician (Clinical Histology Tech), Histologic Aide, Histologic Technician (HT), Histologist, Histology Assistant, Histology Consultant, Histology Coordinator, ...

Annual Salary

$61,890

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$46,580 25th – 75th percentile $80,010
10th percentile $38,020
90th percentile $97,990
U.S. Employment: 343,040

Job Outlook

Outlook data not available.

What You'd Do

  • Archive diagnostic material, such as histologic slides and blocks.
  • Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
  • Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
  • Freeze tissue specimens.
  • Maintain laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths.
  • Mount tissue specimens on glass slides.
  • Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
  • Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.

Top Skills

Active Listening 3.5
Critical Thinking 3.5
Reading Comprehension 3.4
Complex Problem Solving 3.3
Monitoring 3.3
Speaking 3.1
Science 3.1
Judgment and Decision Making 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Chemistry 3.8
Biology 3.8
English Language 3.3
Administrative 3.0
Administration and Management 2.8
Education and Training 2.7
Computers and Electronics 2.7
Mathematics 2.6

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Associate's
48%
Certificate
16%
High School
12%
Some College
12%
Bachelor's
4%
Professional
4%
Doctoral
4%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

MEDITECH software Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word

Other Tools

Brady Specimen Labeling System Cerner Millennium Laboratory information system LIS Presentation software Specimen labeling system software Spreadsheet software

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

3.0
Attention to Detail
2.7
Dependability
2.1
Cautiousness
1.8
Integrity
1.2
Achievement Orientation
1.2
Perseverance
1.1
Stress Tolerance

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Near Vision 4.0
Finger Dexterity 3.8
Oral Comprehension 3.6
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.5
Deductive Reasoning 3.5
Written Comprehension 3.4
Problem Sensitivity 3.4
Information Ordering 3.4

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.0
Documenting/Recording Information 3.9
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings 3.9
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials 3.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.9
Getting Information 3.8
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards 3.7
Controlling Machines and Processes 3.7

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.9
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection
4.9
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
4.8
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.7
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
4.7
Exposed to Contaminants
4.6
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.5
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
4.5
Time Pressure
4.5
E-Mail
4.4
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
4.3
Consequence of Error
4.3

Related Careers

Microbiologists
$87K
Surgical Assistants
$60K
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
$93K
Chemical Technicians
$58K
Medical Equipment Preparers
$46K
Neurodiagnostic Technologists
$49K
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
$67K
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
$97K
Surgical Technologists
$63K
Physicians, Pathologists
$208K+

Is Histology Technicians right for you?

Take our free career quiz to see how you match with this and 900+ other careers.

Take the Quiz

Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.