What Are the Top-paying Biomedical and Laboratory Careers?

This top-paying list was compiled using average salaries, collected from PayScale.com or Comparably.com in October 2023. (Please note that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not have detailed salary information for most of these roles.)

Depending upon the region of the country, experience level, number of years, or attainment of professional certifications, these salaries could be higher or lower.

Keep reading to learn what responsibilities these careers entail, their future occupational outlook, the general pathway to joining them, and certifications that could be earned to practice.

• PayScale (2023): $79,877 average annual salary

Genetic counselors are biomedical professionals with a blend of advanced knowledge of genetically inherited diseases and skills in counseling. In addition to assessing patients for inherited conditions, genetic counselors are trained to assist patients in understanding the impact of inherited diseases, the likelihood of the expression of inherited diseases, the diagnosis of genetic disease, and how to prevent, cope, and/or adapt the presence of a genetic disease. 

Genetic counselors can work in patient-facing roles with adults, teens, and children can focus on research, or can have a career that blends both worlds. In addition, some genetic counselors are generalists, while others become specialists.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023), there is an expected 16 percent growth in job opportunities nationally between 2022 and 2032 for genetic counselors—a growth rate more than five times the national average for all occupations (3 percent) during the same period.

To become a genetic counselor, an accredited master’s degree is required—one recognized by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). Upon completion of the degree program, professionals can seek professional certification through the American Board of Genetic Counseling, Inc. (ABGC).

• PayScale (2023): $73,168 average annual salary

Specialists in blood bank technology (SBBs) are laboratory professionals who have the capacity to carry out all blood bank operations at all scales of complexity. SBBs have expertise in blood products, blood group systems, immunology, laboratory operations, physiology and pathophysiology, serologic and molecular testing, and transfusion practice.

In addition to the ability to perform diagnostic blood testing from the level of routine to advanced and specialized, a BBS may also have responsibilities related to management, research, and teaching. A BBS’s career can be patient-facing or administrative, with opportunities in consulting, program management, clinical work, research and development, and education.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023), the general field of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is predicted to grow by 5 percent between 2022 and 2032, more than the expected average job growth among all fields.

Although graduating from an academic program specifically geared toward SBB is not required to become an SBB, there are programs recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) that either focus directly on SBB or prepare graduates to sit for SBB certification exams. Working as an official SBB requires certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification.

• PayScale (2023): $72,854 average annual salary

Biotechnology engineers use the principles of biology and the problem-solving capacity of technology to create improvements for the health of our planet, the health of people, and the health of all life on earth.

Biotechnology engineers can work in various industries, including food and agriculture, public health, diagnostic technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare services, environmental repair, and more. Most biotechnology engineers are involved in research and development, working in laboratories. Depending on the position, fieldwork may also be included in a biotechnology engineer’s career.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023), the demand for bioengineers and biomedical engineers between 2022 and 2032 will grow at a rate of 5 percent, slightly faster than the growth rate for all occupations.

Because biotechnology is a relatively new field of study, there aren’t a large number of biotechnology-specific engineering programs. Those interested in the field should begin by earning related degrees in engineering from an accredited bachelor’s and/or master’s program. Although not required for and not applicable to some biotech engineering careers, experienced biotech engineers can pursue a professional engineering certification in agricultural and biological engineering through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

• PayScale (2023): $86,610 average annual salary

Health systems engineers can work in two major realms of healthcare delivery: the human realm and the data-driven realm. Health systems engineers working in the human realm examine how to create systems within the physical and psychological limitations of humans that create interpersonal harmony; technological solutions that improve efficiency and performance; and environments that facilitate quality delivery of care. 

Health systems engineers working in the data realm focus on using what can be quantified to deliver data-driven solutions for operations, management, and institutional decision-making.

Pursuing an undergraduate degree in industrial and/or systems engineering can be the first step to becoming a health systems engineer. At the post-baccalaureate level, there are also programs available that offer specific training in health systems engineering (e.g., the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering master of science in healthcare systems engineering). While certification is not required to work as a health systems engineer, experienced engineers looking for professional distinction can earn a professional engineering certification in industrial and systems engineering from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

• Comparably (2023): $77,533 average annual salary

Immunohematologists deeply understand the complex reactions that take place between antigens on blood cells and antibodies in plasma, as well as how this impacts blood transfusions. Immunohematologists are the professionals responsible for ensuring that systems are in place to ensure that when a patient receives a blood transfusion, the blood type has been properly identified, labeled, and packed. These professionals can work in blood banks, hospitals, organ banks, and surgical centers, or can be involved in research.

Job growth for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is predicted to rise by 5 percent between 2022 and 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2023). Becoming an immunohematologist can be the next step in the career of a certified medical technologist (MT), clinical laboratory scientist (CLS), or medical laboratory scientist (MLS). 

For those who wish to advance into this career, post-bachelor’s degree programs in immunohematology are available (e.g., George Washington University master of science in health sciences in immunohematology and biotechnology). Please note that some states such as California require licensure for professionals to serve in immunohematology positions.

• PayScale (2023): $89,110 average annual salary

A pathologists’ assistant is a highly skilled professional trained in surgical and autopsy pathology who can complete all the job functions of a pathologist except for diagnosis, thereby extending the pathologist’s capacities.

Pathology assistants are trained to prepare and procure surgical specimens, prepare autopsies, process laboratory specimens, complete macroscopic examinations, record findings, and render provisional diagnoses to be reviewed by the supervising pathologist. Pathology assistants may also engage in personnel management and supervision, documentation, staff training, compliance, quality control, budgeting, and other high-level administrative tasks that free the pathologist to practice.

From 2022 to 2032, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023) predicts that the demand for physician assistants will grow by 27 percent—a rate that is nine times the national average for all occupations. Note that the BLS classified pathologists’ assistants as physician assistants.

To become a pathologists’ assistant, professionals must complete an accredited post-bachelor’s program. The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) provides accreditation specifically for pathologists’ assistant programs. After completing an accredited program, graduates must earn a certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification.

• PayScale (2023): $93,697 average annual salary

Biotechnology scientists are the engine behind the research that aims to improve health, often through studying biological interactions on the cellular level. Biotechnology scientists’ role depends greatly upon the type of research being implemented but may include experimental design and implementation; data collection and analysis; supervision of research assistants and/or research teams; reporting on findings within a company, at conferences, or in peer-reviewed journals; securing and managing funds; and teaching.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023) predicts that between 2021 and 2031, the demand for medical scientists will grow by 10 percent, which is faster than the average predicted job growth rate in the US (3 percent).

Because biotechnology is a relatively new and highly interdisciplinary field, the pathway to becoming a biotechnology scientist can include studying biological sciences related to any of the applications of biotechnology (food science, agricultural science, medical science, etc). There is also an emerging number of biotechnology-specific programs at all levels of post-secondary education (e.g., Johns Hopkins master of science in biotechnology). 

Biotechnology scientists do not require certification to perform their job duties. Membership in a professional organization like the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) can be useful in terms of career development.

• PayScale (2023): $101,534 average annual salary

Bioinformatics scientists are the researchers who figure out how to effectively apply computer science to analyze complex biological data. To this end, bioinformatics scientists may be responsible for researching and recommending leading-edge technologies, techniques, and equipment; managing, coordinating or collaborating with software developers and research teams; gathering, analyzing, and presenting research findings; developing data models and databases; evaluating, implementing, and improving research processes and/or analytical tools; analyzing large data sets; and creating new computational tools specific to moving research forward.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) predicts that demand for computer and research information scientists will grow 23 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is nearly eight times the rate of the average growth for all occupations.

 Those interested in bioinformatics science can begin a course of study in the discipline at any postsecondary level (e.g., George Washington University bachelor of science in health science or master’s of science in health science in biomedical informatics). Certification is not a requirement to work as a bioinformatics scientist, but professionals can find career development opportunities in professional organizations such as the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA).

• PayScale (2023): $232,020 average annual salary

Pathologists are medical professionals that specialize in determining the cause and the impact of disease or injury on the body. Pathologists can specialize in clinical or anatomical pathology. Anatomical pathologists diagnose the cause and effect of disease based on physical analysis of tissue, organs, or bodies, while clinical pathologists do the same through the analysis of bodily fluids or cells. 

Although one must be an MD to be a pathologist, the role is not patient-facing and much work is done in the laboratory. In addition to diagnosis, pathologists may have responsibilities including supervising and working closely with pathology assistants, engaging in and presenting research, or presenting diagnostic findings to the patient-facing physician.

There will be a growing need for pathologists in upcoming years. A journal article published in Academic Pathology on trends in pathology positions predicts an impending gap between the supply and demand of pathologists that may grow through 2030. Pathology is generally a pathway pursued in residency, after completion of a four-year MD or DO degree. To practice as a pathologist, those who have graduated from medical school must earn certification through The American Board of Pathology (ABP).

• PayScale (2023): $314,811 average annual salary

A hematologist or oncologist is a highly specialized MD trained in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers related to the blood, bone marrow, immune, and vascular systems. The responsibilities of hematologists or oncologists may include recommending and ordering diagnostic testing for patients, consulting with patients regarding the course of treatment, staying updated on the research regarding diagnosis and treatment of blood-related disorders, managing a physician support team, and engaging in and presenting research. Hematologists and oncologists generally choose a focus on pediatric or adult oncology.

To become a hematologist or oncologist is a long road through medical school, a residency in internal medicine (for those who wish to treat adults), or pediatrics (for those who wish to treat children/teens), followed by a fellowship in hematology/oncology (e.g., the Atrium Health Center for Advanced Practice Fellowship in hematology and oncology). To practice, a hematologist/oncologist must earn board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).