Histotechnologists

Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.

Most important skills

Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Listening
Speaking
Active Learning
Complex Problem Solving

Key knowledge

Biology
Production and Processing
Chemistry
Customer and Personal Service
English Language
Administrative
Education and Training
Mathematics

What the work involves

Compile and maintain records of preventive maintenance and instrument performance checks according to schedule and regulations.
Compile materials for distribution to pathologists, such as surgical working drafts, requisitions, and slides.
Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes.
Embed tissue specimens into paraffin wax blocks, or infiltrate tissue specimens with wax.
Examine slides under microscopes to ensure tissue preparation meets laboratory requirements.
Identify tissue structures or cell components to be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases.
Operate computerized laboratory equipment to dehydrate, decalcify, or microincinerate tissue samples.
Perform procedures associated with histochemistry to prepare specimens for immunofluorescence or microscopy.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Investigative, Realistic, Conventional.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Bachelor's Degree (42.9% of respondents)
Related experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years (38.1%)
On-the-job training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months (28.6%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Histotechnologists is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.
Projection education uses SOC 29-2010 (aggregate); it may describe a broader group.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Very low	Lower on contact with others than 86% of occupations compared	38% of surveyed respondents chose “Constant contact with others”
Dealing with the public	Very low	Lower on dealing with the public than 85% of occupations compared	38% of surveyed respondents chose “Important”
Teamwork	Low	Lower on teamwork than 76% of occupations compared	38% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely important”
Freedom to make decisions	Very low	Lower on freedom to make decisions than 81% of occupations compared	52% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	Very high	Higher on time pressure than 99% of occupations compared	90% of surveyed respondents chose “Every day”
Conflict situations	Moderate	Lower on conflict situations than 55% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 74% of occupations compared	38% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	Very high	Higher on consequence of error than 91% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: very high
Conflict situations: moderate
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: low
Consequence of error: very high

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions