In this Article
By: All Allied Health Staff
Updated: March 6, 2026
A medical technician is a healthcare professional who collects samples, performs laboratory tests, and operates diagnostic equipment to help physicians detect and treat diseases. Phlebotomists, medical lab technicians and histotechnician are just a few of the jobs that fall under the medical technician umbrella. Some careers allow you to work directly with patient, while others require you to spend most of your time in the lab.
Key takeaways
- Medical technicians perform laboratory tests and analyze samples to help doctors diagnose diseases.
- Most medical technicians enter the field with a two-year associate degree or certificate program.
- Careers in this field include phlebotomists, surgical technicians and medical laboratory technicians.
What is medical technology and what do med techs do?
Medical technology is also known as clinical laboratory science. Many areas of healthcare, such as public health and the pharmaceutical industry, rely on technicians or technologists to help treat patients, test results or compound medications. If you’re thinking about a career in medical technology, consider the type of path you want to take. Medical technologists often have a specialization, conduct more complex lab tests, oversee technicians and earn a higher salary.
In general, technologist roles are usually more advanced and require a bachelor’s degree. For technician roles, an associate degree or certificate is typically required. For those looking to enter the field quickly, becoming a technician first can be a great place to start.
Medical technicians are responsible for a variety of tasks. Depending on the medical technician career path you follow, your duties may vary slightly.
Tasks you’ll perform on the job
Medical technician vs. technologist
Though medical technicians and technologists work closely together and can have some overlapping duties, keep in mind that these are usually separate roles:
| Feature | Medical technician | Medical technologist |
|---|---|---|
| Education: | Associate degree | Bachelor’s degree |
| Role: | Perform tests | Analyze and interpret results |
| Responsibility: | Operate equipment | Oversee lab testing |
Types of medical technician careers
Med techs, as they’re often called, are experts in their specialization and trained to operate sophisticated equipment, analyze blood and other body fluids and ensure a sterile working environment.
If you prefer to interact with patients on a regular basis, here are some of the potential career paths to consider:
Interested in working behind the scenes? Consider these roles in the lab:
As you consider the type of medical technology career you want to have, think about the work environment you’d thrive in. For example, if you prefer working on a close-knit team where you are relied on to complete tasks in a fast-paced environment, a surgical tech position in a hospital could be for you.
Most medical technicians work in hospitals, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Laboratories and doctors’ offices are other common work environments for medical technicians. If you plan to work as a phlebotomist, your career path may lead you to a hospital, lab or donation facility. Some phlebotomists also travel to see patients.
Operating and delivery rooms at hospitals are where most surgical techs are necessary, but your career path may also lead you to outpatient care facilities or working with a surgeon who performs specialized surgeries.
Learn how to become a medical technician
Every career path is unique, and exact requirements for certain roles can vary depending on specialization and any state-specific laws in your area. Still, consider this general framework for how to become a medical technician:
1. Consider what kind of med tech career you want to pursue.
Do you want to work as a medical lab technician, studying samples under a microscope? Then a medical lab science or medical technology degree is probably best. Do you want to work as a more hands-on surgical technician? Then you’re going to need to attend a surgical tech program. Whatever it is you want to do, knowing the career you want is essential to figuring out the degree you need.
2. Earn your degree.
Most medical technician careers require at least an associate degree to get started, while medical technologist careers often require a bachelor’s degree.
3. Apply for certification.
Most careers in the medical technology career require some kind of professional certification (American Medical Technologists offer quite a few, for instance). To earn a certification, most require you to complete an accredited education program and pass a certifying exam.
4. Apply for licensure, if applicable.
Some states require lab personnel and other medical technicians (working in a lab or otherwise) to obtain a license or register with the state. Many require having a national certification in order to qualify for licensure.
Medical technician education requirements
Education requirements for medical technicians can vary significantly depending on the type of job you’re going for. As a general rule, most medical technician jobs require at least an associate degree in medical lab science or medical lab technology. If you want to go for a technologist role, many schools also offer bachelor’s degrees in medical technology.
However, if you’re interested in another career that falls under the medical technology umbrella—such as a phlebotomist, surgical tech or something else—keep in mind that there are programs designed for those specific careers.
Medical technology courses
If you plan to earn an associate degree or certificate in medical technology, you can expect to take courses such as statistics, math, biology, microbiology and chemistry. You’ll learn a wide range of skills including clinical procedures, safety, lab testing, computer technology, professional ethics and equipment operation. Depending on your program, you’ll also be required to take the following courses:
Typical medical tech coursework
Skills for medical technicians
Before you enroll in school, it’s a good idea to consider the traits and skills required of a medical technician or technologist. These roles require physical stamina and, of course, the ability to use complex technology. Here’s a look at the other important traits you’ll need.
You are…
Dependable
Organized
A clear communicator
Compassionate
Ethical
Persistent
Patient
You have…
Good decision-making skills
Interest in helping others
High stress tolerance
Attention to detail
Integrity
Good time-management skills
Dexterity
Medical technology salary
Medical technology salaries vary by job title:
Clinical Lab Techs: Projected median salary as cited by the BLS:
$61,890
Phlebotomists: Projected median annual salary as cited by the BLS:
$43,660
According to the 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics from the BLS, the median annual salary for medical and clinical lab technologists and technicians is $61,890.
Several factors can influence salary including work environment and the type of medical technician you are. For example, a biology technician earns a median annual salary of $52,000 whereas a phlebotomist earns $43,660.
According to the BLS, medical laboratory technicians earn the most working at hospitals. Here’s a comparison of salaries by work environment.
Compare salaries by workplace
Here are median annual salaries for medical techs by workplace, according to the BLS:
How to get started
Earning your associate degree or certificate in medical technology is the first step toward pursuing a career as a technician. If you hope to become a medical technologist, you’ll need to earn your bachelor’s degree.
It’s also a good idea to check with your state’s board of health to learn about any licensing requirements. Some states will look for certification as part of their licensing criteria.
Once you’ve completed your foundational education, you can go on to earn certification in a specialty area such as medical biology or cytotechnology.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is a medical technician?
A medical technician is a healthcare professional who performs diagnostic tests, collects patient samples and operates laboratory equipment to help doctors diagnose and treat diseases. Medical technicians often work in hospitals, laboratories and clinics analyzing blood, tissue and other specimens.
How long does it take to become a medical technician?
It typically takes about two years to become a medical technician. Most professionals enter the field with an associate degree or certificate program that includes classroom instruction and clinical laboratory training.
What degree do medical technicians need?
Most medical technicians need an associate degree in medical laboratory technology or a related healthcare field. Some technician roles may require specialized training programs, while more advanced laboratory roles often require a bachelor’s degree.
Do medical technicians need certification?
Certification is not always required but is often preferred by employers. Many medical technicians choose to earn professional certification through organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology or American Medical Technologists to demonstrate competency in laboratory testing.
Is a medical technician the same as a medical technologist?
No. Medical technologists typically have a bachelor’s degree and perform more complex laboratory analyses, while medical technicians usually hold an associate degree and perform routine diagnostic tests.
Do medical technicians work with patients?
Some do. Technicians like phlebotomists collect samples directly from patients, while others work primarily in laboratories analyzing specimens.