Skip to main content
Healthcare science

Biomedical Scientist

Tests blood, tissue and other samples in hospital labs to help doctors diagnose disease, choose treatment and check that it is working.

Biomedical scientists run the laboratory tests behind much of hospital care, in specialities such as blood sciences, microbiology, cellular pathology and transfusion. It suits methodical people who like lab work, are comfortable with automation and want their results to reach patients quickly.

Also called Medical laboratory scientist, Clinical laboratory scientist or Medical technologist.

At a glance

Way in
Bachelor's degree, often in biomedical science, biochemistry, microbiology and medical laboratory science
Pay in the US
$62,930 a year, the medianFor clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, the group O*NET places biomedical scientists in, 2025
Pay in the UK
£30,000 starting to £53,000 with experience
US outlook
Average, 2025-2035
Suits you if
You like precise lab work and want each result to help a real patient

Pay is a guide: it moves with the country, the employer, the sector and the years in the job. Figures from O*NET OnLine (US) and the National Careers Service (UK); see the sources below.

The work

What does a biomedical scientist do?

  • Run and check automated analysers that measure chemicals and cells in blood
  • Culture samples to identify infections and test which antibiotics will work
  • Prepare and examine tissue sections and smears, such as those taken in cancer screening
  • Group and crossmatch blood so that transfusions and transplants are safe
  • Validate results, run quality controls and report findings to clinicians

Where they work

  • NHS and private hospital laboratories
  • Public health laboratories
  • Blood transfusion services
  • University and research labs

Skills

The skills a biomedical scientist needs

  • Lab techniquepipetting, staining, culture and sterile work
  • Quality controlspotting results that do not fit
  • Instrument know-howrunning and troubleshooting analysers
  • Biomedical knowledgehaematology, biochemistry and microbiology
  • Accuracy under pressureurgent samples without errors
  • Record keepingclear, traceable data and reports

Route in

How to become a biomedical scientist

  1. Earn an accredited biomedical science degree, ideally one that includes a hospital placement
  2. Complete a registration training portfolio in an approved laboratory
  3. Register with the regulator, then specialise in a discipline such as haematology or microbiology
  4. Progress through specialist qualifications to senior, management or advanced practice roles

Degrees people take

  • Biomedical science
  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Medical laboratory science

In the UK, biomedical scientists must register with the HCPC, usually after an IBMS-accredited degree and portfolio; in the US, the equivalent role is medical laboratory scientist.

Practise for it

The quizzes and tools that fit

Also on biofideX

Next to it

Careers to weigh against it

Sources

Where the facts come from

Written for biofideX from these public sources. The pay figures are theirs, copied as published, last read 2026-10-25.

Requirements differ by country and change over time; check with the body that registers the profession where you will work. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.

Career Paths

55 careers, side by side

Each with what it asks, how people get in, what it pays and the quizzes that fit it.

Explore the careers

Cookie Notice

We use cookies

biofideX uses cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, and (with your consent) measure how the platform is used. Change your choices any time from the Cookie Policy.