Healthcare Practitioners
Histology Technicians
Also called: Clinical Histology Technician (Clinical Histology Tech), Histologic Technician (HT), Histologist, Histology Consultant
US median pay
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not published
Job growth 2025–35
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Openings a year (US)
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Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.
What they do day to day
- Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
- Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
- Mount tissue specimens on glass slides.
- Stain tissue specimens with dyes or other chemicals to make cell details visible under microscopes.
- Freeze tissue specimens.
- Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
- Archive diagnostic material, such as histologic slides and blocks.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, mass spectrometers, microtomes, immunostainers, tissue processors, embedding centers, and water baths.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Operations Monitoring2.9/5
- Operation and Control2.8/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.6/5
Knowledge
- Chemistry3.8/5
- Biology3.8/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Administrative3.0/5
- Administration and Management2.8/5
- Education and Training2.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Associate's degree48%
- Post-secondary certificate16%
- Some college12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.