Choose a Career in Cytology

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Cytology is an allied health specialty that offers exciting possibilities for those interested in a career in science and a significant role in health care. Simply put, cytologists are “cell detectives.” As a cytologist, you’ll play a crucial part in the discovery and detection of cancer and pre-cancerous changes in cells using a microscope. Cytology is a challenging and rewarding profession for those who thrive working independently as well as part of a team.

Through the use of a microscope, cytologists examine and study human cells. Cytologists are typically employed in hospitals and private medical laboratories, university medical centers and government facilities, as well as industry settings.

Cytologists are trained to look for abnormalities such as cancerous cells, pre-cancerous cells or infectious disease. Most notably, cytologists are responsible for the interpretation of the Pap test — a test of cervical cells that checks for changes in these cells that may lead to a diagnosis of cervical cancer, abnormal cervical cells or an infection.

Educational Requirements
In the United States and Puerto Rico, cytology training programs are offered at the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate (certificate) levels and are located in both university and hospital/laboratory settings. Students may be admitted to a cytology program in their junior or senior year of college or after they have completed their undergraduate studies. Specific course requirements vary somewhat among schools; however, 28 credits of sciences including chemistry and the biological sciences upon completion of a cytology program and three of mathematics, statistics or equivalent are recommended.

At this time, there are 18 accredited cytology programs across the United States and Puerto Rico. In September 2023, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) approved the Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Cytology, effective January 1, 2025. Additional educational resources are available on the Cytology Education Learning Lab (CELL).

Certification
Upon completion of a cytology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), in collaboration with the Cytology Programs Review Committee (CPRC) , students are eligible to sit for a national certification examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC). Successful completion of this examination indicates attainment of entry level proficiency in the field, and individuals are then recognized as CT(ASCP) – certified cytologists. Additional certifications -specialist in cytology (SCT) and molecular biology (MB) can be obtained.

Career Opportunities
Hospitals, private laboratories, universities, government facilities, and industries employ cytologists. Among these practice settings, there may be opportunities for supervisory, educational, and administrative level positions.

Average Cytologist Salary
The median U.S. cytologist salary range is between $69,621 and $83,749 annually.
Source: Salary.com, May 2019.

Accredited Cytology Programs
There are currently 18 accredited cytology programs in the United States and Puerto Rico. Click here to view a list of the accredited programs.

Associations for Cytologists
The American Society of Cytopathology offers free membership to students currently enrolled in an accredited cytology program. Other groups include the American Society for Cytotechnology and the American Society for Clinical Pathology as well as several state, regional and international associations.

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