Cytogenetic technologists are laboratory specialists who perform cell culture and chromosome analysis on such tissues as blood, bone marrow, amniotic fluid, skin, muscle, and tumors. Chromosome analysis is used for diagnosing genetic disorders. These diagnoses are essential for patient treatment and management decisions, including prenatal diagnosis, monitoring effectiveness of cancer chemotherapies, and establishing risk for genetic disorders. Cytogenetic technologists are employed in diverse clinical and research settings.
Areas of Work and Emerging Areas of Specialty
Cytogenetic technologists are employed in private laboratories, laboratories associated with teaching hospitals, pediatric hospitals, genetics specialty clinics, gynecological high risk care groups, cancer treatment hospitals, research laboratories of universities and pharmaceutical or chemical industrial companies. They may also work as educators, in sales or marketing or other genetics-related occupations. Experienced cytogenetic technologists may be responsible for the management and operation of cytogenetic laboratories. The work is challenging, much like piecing together a complex jigsaw puzzle.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected a 17% growth rate for clinical laboratory professionals from 1998 through 2008. They project 53,000 new jobs due to increased demand for clinical laboratory testing and another 40,000 vacancies due to retirement, change of profession, etc. That means there will be a total of about 9,300 jobs per year. Due to the shortage of clinical laboratory professionals, graduates from our CLS program have no problems finding jobs.
Employment is expected to increase faster than for the average as the volume of requested tests increases with population growth, development of new tests, increased recognition and acceptance of the role genetics plays in disease and with the aging of the population. There is a current 20+% shortage of technologists nationwide (2002).
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
Salary range
| Average salary |
$25.22 |
| Starting salary (0-2 years) |
$18.67 |
| Career salary average (20+ years) |
$30.33 |
Source: Association of Genetic Technologists 2006 Salary Survey
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