Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Community College of Allegheny County

Pittsburgh, PA · Public · Certificate · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

enrolling 9,305 students in Pittsburgh, PA.

Program Analysis

Community College of Allegheny County's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates start at $28,701/yr, trailing the $39,620 national average by 28%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 76.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates.

Ranked #67 out of 146 programs, Community College of Allegheny County's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $28,701 to $35,669 shows 24% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
55
Score
56
High End
Earnings $28,701/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$371K
5.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
76.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,842
Out-of-state: $12,583
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,669
24% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Surgical technologists $62,830 +4.5% 93%
Health technologists and technicians, all other $48,790 +5.2% 48%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Surgical technologists
$62,830
+4.5% growth 93% AI-proof
Health technologists and technicians, all other
$48,790
+5.2% growth 48% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

About Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research Careers

You’ll likely start your career in a direct patient-care role like a phlebotomist. You’ll spend your days in a clinic or hospital, using needles and vacutainers to draw blood, calming nervous patients, and meticulously labeling samples that doctors rely on for life-saving diagnoses. From there, you can advance into a more specialized technologist role. This could mean operating complex diagnostic analyzers in a lab or becoming a surgical technologist, where you’ll prepare operating rooms and pass critical instruments to surgeons during procedures.

Read the full Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research career guide →

Compare & Explore

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research Overview

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Other Schools

Other Majors at Community College of Allegheny County

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Community College of Allegheny County's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research program score?
This program scores 55/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates.
Is Community College of Allegheny County a good choice for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Community College of Allegheny County may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 15 registered apprenticeships connected to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates?
With approximately 79,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →