Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nursess out-earn Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicianss by $35K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicianss land at $62,930 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: clinical laboratory technologists and technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicianss is New York ($97,280); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicianss or Registered Nursess?
Registered Nursess earn more nationally. The median is $62,930 for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicianss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $35K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Registered Nurses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians or Registered Nurses?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicianss get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicianss at $97,280/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicianss earn $97,280 vs. $109,440 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.