The faculty member who teaches clinical laboratory science at a college — covering hematology, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, and the analytical skills medical lab scientists rely on. Half academic faculty, half practicing lab scientist.
Most days tend to involve a blend of classroom lectures, lab instruction, and clinical site coordination — leading didactic sessions, supervising students in teaching labs, and managing affiliations with clinical labs that host student rotations. You'll often spend part of the time on scholarly work — curriculum development, accreditation, and faculty service.
The harder part is often keeping curriculum current in a field where instrumentation, methodology, and regulatory standards keep evolving. You'll typically work across cohorts with varied science preparation, while maintaining the technical rigor that patient care depends on.
People who tend to thrive here are lab-science-expert, patient teachers, and skilled at the long arc of academic curriculum work. The trade-off is the salary differential between academic and clinical lab roles and the cumulative work of preparing students for both boards and bench. If you find satisfaction in shaping the next generation of medical lab scientists, the work can carry quiet, durable impact.
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
The faculty member who teaches clinical laboratory science at a college — covering hematology, chemistry, immunology, microbiology, and the analytical skills medical lab scientists rely on. Half academic faculty, half practicing lab scientist.
Median pay for a Clinical Laboratory Science Professor is about $106K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $52K to $208K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).
Core skills for this role include Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Instructing, Active Listening, and Critical Thinking.
Most people in this role hold a master's degree.
Employment in this field is projected to grow about 17.3% through 2034, with roughly 229,720 people working in it today (BLS).
Closely related roles include Health Teacher, First Aid Teacher, and Clinical Instructor.
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