Histotechnologist
Turns tissue from biopsies and operations into thin, stained slides that pathologists examine under the microscope to make a diagnosis.
Histotechnologists work in hospital and private pathology labs, and in research groups that study tissue. It suits patient, steady-handed people who enjoy precise practical work and take pride in a clean, even slide.
Also called Histology technologist or Histology specialist.
At a glance
- Way in
- Bachelor's degree, often in biomedical science, biology, histotechnology and medical laboratory science
- Pay in the US
- $62,930 a year, the medianFor clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, the group O*NET places histotechnologists in, 2025
- US outlook
- Average, 2025-2035
- Suits you if
- You have steady hands, like the microscope and enjoy careful bench work
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 histotechnologist do?
- Fix, process and embed tissue samples in wax so they can be cut
- Cut very thin sections on a microtome and mount them on slides
- Apply routine and special stains, including immunohistochemistry
- Check slide quality and fix problems with instruments and techniques
- Test and introduce new methods, and help with research projects
Where they work
- Hospital cellular pathology labs
- Private diagnostic laboratories
- University research labs
- Pharmaceutical and contract research labs
Skills
The skills a histotechnologist needs
- Fine motor controlcutting even sections by hand
- Staining chemistryknowing how dyes bind to tissue
- Tissue anatomyrecognising what a good section shows
- Safetyhandling fixatives, solvents and sharp blades
- Troubleshootingtracing artefacts back to their cause
- Organisationtracking every sample from bench to report
Route in
How to become a histotechnologist
- Earn a degree in biomedical science, biology or a related subject that includes chemistry
- Train in a histology lab, on a programme or on the job, learning processing and staining
- Pass a certification exam or complete registration, as your country or employer requires
- Develop specialist skills such as immunohistochemistry, then supervise or manage a lab
Degrees people take
- Biomedical science
- Biology
- Histotechnology
- Medical laboratory science
In the US, histotechnologists often certify with the ASCP; the UK has no such title, and the work is done mainly by HCPC-registered biomedical scientists in cellular pathology.
Practise for it
The quizzes and tools that fit
- Cell Biology quizzes
- Characteristics of Life15 questions
- Lab Safety15 questions
- Cell Theory15 questions
- Pathology quizzes
- Hematopathology: Anemias & WBC Disorders15 questions
- Cell Injury, Death & Adaptations10 questions
- Cardiovascular Pathology15 questions
Also on biofideX
Next to it
Careers to weigh against it
Healthcare science
Biomedical Scientist
- Way in
- Bachelor's
- US
- $62,930
- UK
- £30,000–£53,000
Patient care
Pathologist
- Way in
- Professional degree
- US
- $312,400
- UK
- £54,000–£115,000
Research
Laboratory Technician
- Way in
- School or apprenticeship
- US
- $57,510
- UK
- £24,000–£31,000
Healthcare science
Clinical Scientist
- Way in
- Master's
- UK
- £49,000–£65,000
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.
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