Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Institute of Medical Careers

Pittsburgh, PA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 866 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,151 place Institute of Medical Careers below the $39,620 national median for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

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.

With first-year pay of $27,151 far exceeding the $9,786 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #119 ranking among 146 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs places Institute of Medical Careers in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $27,151 to $28,197 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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.

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
41
Low End
44
Score
45
High End
Earnings $27,151/yr (-31% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$284K
1.0% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$9,786
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,197
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 Institute of Medical Careers

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 44/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Institute of Medical Careers?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Is Institute of Medical Careers a good choice for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates?
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 →