Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Harrisburg Area Community College

Harrisburg, PA · Public · Associate Degree · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

with a mid-sized student body of 9,802 in Harrisburg, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $55,875 put Harrisburg Area Community College's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research program 41% above the national median of $39,620 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

With a 39.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #42 ranking among 146 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs places Harrisburg Area Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

60 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
60
Score
60
High End
Earnings $55,875/yr (41% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$585K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.6x
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)
$14,746
Out-of-state: $22,800
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$58,047
4% 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 Harrisburg Area Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Harrisburg Area Community College's Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research program score?
This program scores 60/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates.
Are there apprenticeship options for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research career paths, including Blocker & Cutter Contact Lens. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
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 →