Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

Valdosta, GA · Public · Certificate · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 2,762 students in Valdosta, GA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $20,208 place Wiregrass Georgia Technical College below the $39,620 national median for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 86.1x 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 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates.

At #87 out of 146 programs, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College's financial outcomes for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $20,208 to $26,452 shows 31% 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.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
51
Score
51
High End
Earnings $20,208/yr (-49% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$279K
7.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
86.8x
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)
$3,212
Out-of-state: $5,612
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$26,452
31% 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 Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College?
This program scores 51/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Why are Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research earnings lower at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Wiregrass Georgia Technical College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research?
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.
Is there demand for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research workers?
The career paths mapped to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research have roughly 79,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →