If you’re a medical lab technician looking for a change, you’re not alone. Whether you’re feeling burned out, seeking better pay, or just want something different, there are plenty of alternative careers where your lab skills can shine. I am going to keep adding to this list as I find out about more jobs, so please check back!

Outside of the Hospital Setting

1. Medical Device Field Specialist

• Salary: $70,000 – $100,000+ (with commission)

• Qualifications: Lab experience, technical training, communication skills

• Duties: Train healthcare professionals on lab-related equipment; requires travel.

• Check out my post about Clinical Application Specialists!

• Other Search terms to try: Field Application Specialist, Clinical Application Specialist, Solution Specialist

2. Clinical Research Associate (CRA)

• Salary: $75,000 – $110,000

• Qualifications: Bachelor’s in science, clinical trial experience preferred

• Duties: Monitor clinical trials for pharmaceutical or biotech companies.

• Check out my post about becoming a CRA!

• Other Search terms to try: clinical research coordinators, research specialist, clinical data managers

3. Quality Control Analyst

• Salary: $60,000 – $85,000

• Qualifications: MLT background, regulatory knowledge

• Duties: Ensure pharmaceutical and food products meet safety standards.

• Other search terms to try: Quality Control Technician, QC Lab Technician, Quality Control Chemist, Quality Supervisor, Quality Assurance Specialist, Quality Assurance Manager

4. Forensic Science Technician

• Salary: $50,000 – $80,000

• Qualifications: MLT or forensic science degree

• Duties: Assist in crime scene investigations by analyzing evidence.

• Other search terms to try: Forensic Scientist

5. Public Health Laboratory Scientist

• Salary: $55,000 – $90,000

• Qualifications: MLT degree, public health background

• Duties: Conduct disease surveillance, outbreak investigations, and environmental testing.

6. Technical Support Specialist (Lab Equipment & Software)

• Salary: $65,000 – $90,000

• Qualifications: Lab experience, troubleshooting skills, communication

• Duties: Provide customer support for lab equipment and software companies.

• Other search terms to try: IT lab, computing support

7. Regulatory Affairs Specialist

• Salary: $80,000 – $120,000

• Qualifications: Science degree, knowledge of FDA regulations

• Duties: Help medical and pharmaceutical companies comply with regulatory requirements.

8. Biotechnology or Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

• Salary: $85,000 – $150,000+ (with commission)

• Qualifications: Science background, sales experience

• Duties: Use your lab knowledge to sell scientific products and equipment.

• Other search terms to try: Lab sales

9. Genetic Counselor Assistant

• Salary: $50,000 – $75,000

• Qualifications: Bachelor’s in science, genetics coursework

• Duties: Support genetic counselors in analyzing and explaining test results.

12. Medical Writing & Editing

• Salary: $60,000 – $100,000

• Qualifications: Science degree, writing skills

• Duties: Write and edit scientific materials, research papers, or medical content.

• Check out this post! 

13. Veterinary Laboratory Technician

• Salary: $45,000 – $70,000

• Qualifications: MLT degree, interest in veterinary medicine

• Duties: Conduct lab testing for animals in veterinary clinics and research labs.

• Note: If this interests you, search only for veterinary lab, do not add “technician”; you will only find vet tech positions if you search “veterinary laboratory technicians”

15. Health Informatics Specialist

• Salary: $75,000 – $110,000

• Qualifications: IT and lab experience, data analysis skills

• Duties: Manage and analyze healthcare data in hospitals or insurance companies.

• I did a Job Spotlight post on a similar position!

16. Lab Biotech Manufacturing Technician

• Salary: $50,000 – $80,000

• Qualifications: Science degree, lab skills

• Duties: Support the production of vaccines, biologics, and medical devices.

• Note: be sure to specify “lab” in any job search for this type of position; without it I was getting hits to general maintenance jobs

17. Freelance Science Consultant

• Salary: Varies (depends on contracts and expertise)

• Qualifications: Industry experience, networking skills

• Duties: Provide expertise for scientific projects, regulatory compliance, or product development.

18. FBI Agent

• The FBI absolutely hires agents with a background in healthcare

• Salary: $99,000- $129,000

• Qualifications: US citizen, must be able to obtain a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Clearance, masters degree, military veteran is helpful

• Search Terms to try along with FBI: healthcare/medical expertise, STEM 

19. Accreditation Surveyor

• Performs lab inspections for certification and accreditation
• Salary: $84,000- $97,000
• Qualifications: Bachelors in a science, lab experience, certification
• Search terms to try: Lab certification, assessors, surveyors

20. Quality Assurance

• Maintains quality control in a lab setting
• Salary- $83,000- $126,000
• Qualifications: 2 year degree, lab experience
• Other search Terms to try: Quality Control, Quality Management, Quality Auditing

In the Hospital Setting

1. Blood Bank Specialist

• Salary: $50,000 – $75,000

• Qualifications: MLT or MLS certification, experience in blood banking

• Duties: Oversee blood donation and transfusion processes in hospitals, blood banks, or research facilities.

2. Histotechnologist

• Salary: $55,000 – $85,000

• Qualifications: ASCP certification in histotechnology, lab experience

• Duties: Prepare tissue samples for microscopic examination in pathology labs or research institutions.

3. Cytogenetic Technologist

• Salary: $60,000 – $90,000

• Qualifications: Bachelor’s in medical laboratory science or cytogenetics

• Duties: Analyze chromosomes to detect genetic disorders in hospitals or biotech companies.

4. Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) Specialist

• Salary: $65,000 – $95,000

• Qualifications: IT and lab experience, LIS software proficiency

• Duties: Manage and troubleshoot lab data management software in hospitals and diagnostic labs.

5. Medical Examiner’s Assistant

• Salary: $45,000 – $70,000

• Qualifications: MLT or forensic science background

• Duties: Assist pathologists in autopsy procedures and forensic investigations.

6. Toxicology Technician

• Salary: $50,000 – $80,000

• Qualifications: MLT certification, experience in toxicology

• Duties: Analyze biological samples for toxins, drugs, and other substances in forensic labs or environmental agencies.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to stay in the lab if it’s not the right fit for you. Many industries value your analytical skills, attention to detail, and lab experience. Remember, you have options!

Do you have a different job in the lab sciences? Please drop a comment and tell us about it!