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“The most rewarding part of being a cytotech is knowing that my job is important in diagnosing certain types of cancer and many non-cancerous medical conditions.”
– Gabrielle Francois, CT(ASCP)
Cytologists are often referred to as cell detectives as they spend countless hours peering into microscopes, looking for the smallest differences in cells. This exciting and frequently overlooked career is where detail-oriented and curious allied health professionals can excel.
Since many diseases, viruses, and bacteria can only be identified under a microscope, trained cytologists must know how to collect samples, prepare slides, and evaluate cells to write reports for pathologists. With their skill and expertise, a quick and accurate diagnosis can be made for many diseases.
Aspiring cytologists must complete a master’s degree in cytology or a related field and complete a post-baccalaureate certificate. Upon completing the required education, cytologists must earn a cytologist (CT) certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
The best way to learn more about a career is to get advice from someone in the field. Keep reading to hear certified cytologist Gabrielle Francois’ advice as well as the top ten things to know before starting this career.
Meet The Expert: Gabrielle Francois, CT(ASCP)
Gabrielle Francois is an American Society for Clinical Pathology-certified cytologist. She completed her post-baccalaureate certificate in cytology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s in health informatics from the University of San Diego.
In March of 2020, Francois took advantage of the flexibility working in cytology can offer and took a position as a traveling cytologist. When not working, she spends time exploring the new cities she gets to live in and writes about it on her blog The Traveling Cytotech. She routinely posts pictures of the cells she analyzes on both Facebook and Instagram. With her years of experience, here is the advice she has for new cytologists.
First and foremost, Francois believes it takes dedication to become a cytologist. “Being disciplined and having a desire to provide excellent patient-centered care is the key to excelling as a cytotech,” she says.
For professionals considering a career in cytology, she has some advice: “Choose a master’s-level cytotech program that includes molecular courses and covers IHC [immunohistochemistry] stains,” she says. She also advises aspiring professionals to join pathology and cytology forums on social media, as these can be a great place to get advice from professionals in the field.
Having goals in mind will also help new cytotechs excel, she shares: “If your goal is to work in a hospital, familiarize yourself with fine needle aspiration procedures. During your clinical rotations, go on as many procedures as you possibly can, so they won’t be a challenge when you begin doing fine needle aspiration procedures.” Francois continues, “If your goal is to become a supervisor or manager and you have good leadership skills, show interest by asking questions about what it takes to be a successful supervisor or manager.”
Francois put a lot of consideration into pursuing her post-baccalaureate certificate. “I researched the field of cytology. I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, and I also wanted to attend UNC Chapel Hill. I researched each of the allied health profession programs offered through the UNC Chapel Hill Medical Schoo,l and the cytology program piqued my interest the most. I looked at all of the program prerequisite requirements and realized that I fulfilled all of the prerequisites for the program.”
Once students are admitted to a program, Francois cautions to be prepared. “Many cytology programs tend to be very rigorous. Pay close attention to everything covered, especially if you’re interested in working at a hospital. Also, take the ASCP certification exam sooner rather than later after completing your program,” she advises.
Once a cytotech earns certification, they have the challenge of figuring out where they want to work. Different workplaces work with different samples. “Cytotechs at many private reference labs mainly screen only GYN (gynecology) specimens, while cytotechs at hospital labs typically attend ROSE [Rapid On-site Evaluation] procedures, screen GYN, non-GYN and FNA [fine needle aspiration] specimens. Private reference labs tend to be slower paced while hospital labs tend to be fast-paced,” Francois notes.
Obtaining work at a lab can be easier since the work doesn’t entail as many procedures. Moving from a low-volume clinic to a busy hospital can be hard, however. “The transition can come as a shock for some,” Francois says.
This can be a fulfilling career despite the rigorous education and potentially demanding workload. Francois notes that, “The most rewarding part of being a cytotech is knowing that my job is important in diagnosing certain types of cancer and many non-cancerous medical conditions.” Because her job is so critical, she focuses on providing patient-centric high-quality care.
What To Know Before Starting A Career In Cytology
1. The Applications of Cytology
Cytology is the use of a microscope to examine and study cells. Cytologists can detect cancer, viruses, bacteria, and other diseases through these examinations. The cells collected and analyzed can be uterine, gastrointestinal, lung, or other body parts. Sometimes cytologists help collect the samples through fine needle aspirations or other procedures.
2. Educational Requirements for Cytologists
In order to work as a cytologist, aspiring professionals must complete at least a bachelor’s degree in cytology.
If a student wants a graduate education, which can lead to better opportunities, a master’s degree will take roughly two years to complete. Students will spend extensive time behind a microscope during their training. Top programs have students clock over 750 hours at the microscope in just one year.
3. Cytologist Certification
While certification is not mandatory for cytologists, it is highly recommended. Many employers require certification, and it demonstrates competency in the field. The most common certification earned is the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) cytology (CT) certification.
To be eligible for this certification, candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree and a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited cytology program. (A master’s degree is increasingly preferred.)
The ASCP also offers the more advanced certificate of Specialist in Cytology (SCT) for professionals with three years of work experience as cytologists or who have three years of experience as cytology educators.
4. Job Outlook for Cytologists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2025) classifies cytologists as “clinical laboratory technologists and technicians” and estimates this field to grow 2 percent, which is slightly below the national average of 3 percent for all jobs, between 2024 and 2034. This gain in jobs is primarily due to an aging population with increased incidents of cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses.
According to Salary.com (Nov. 2025), cytologists earn $97,195 per year on average. The top 90 percent of earners can make up to $114,485 or more, while the bottom 10 percent earn $84,443 per year or less. Wages vary based on place of employment, level of certification obtained, education completed, and job description. Also, location can impact wages as cytologists in urban areas tend to earn higher salaries than those located in more rural areas.
5. Helpful Skills for Cytologists
In addition to completing a degree in cytology, there are a number of skills that can be helpful in this field. First, cytologists must be detail-oriented. It can be tedious to compare slide after slide of cells, but that is exactly what cytologists do—and they have to do it well. Catching the small abnormalities that signal cancer or other diseases is critical, and cytologists are relied on to not miss a single detail.
Secondly, cytologists must be able to use various pieces of technology. They will need to have excellent skills using microscopes, computers, and other lab equipment. Learning new technology quickly is a critical skill as well, since labs and procedures are always evolving.
Lastly, cytologists must have a lot of stamina. Hospital labs can get very busy, and often, results are urgent. Many cytologists must work long hours sitting or standing at a lab bench or microscope to complete the necessary studies.
6. Where Cytologists Work
Cytologists work primarily in either hospitals or laboratories. The workload at each workplace varies and is typically more routine in a lab and more varied at a hospital. Some cytologists may be employed at universities and work in research departments.
7. What a Day of Work as a Cytologist Entails
Day-to-day duties of a cytologist vary based on their place of employment. Typical responsibilities include:
- Preparing slides with cell samples
- Using a microscope to examine cells
- Identifying abnormal cells on the slides
- Writing reports about the cells examined
- Advising pathologists about a possible diagnosis of abnormal cells
- Comparing cells sample to determine changes over time
- Performing fine needle aspirations
- Completing rapid tests for cases that need urgent results
8. Career Advancement Opportunities for Cytologists
Entry-level work for cytologists is available at labs and hospitals across the country. Cytologists interested in advancing their careers can pursue the more advanced SCT certification through the ASCP. This certification demonstrates a higher level of competency in the field and can help cytologists be eligible for senior or management positions.
Other advancement opportunities can include teaching positions at cytology schools. Professionals in this field can also use cytology as a jumping-off point for a more advanced healthcare job, such as health information management or healthcare management. While these roles can require further education, working as a cytologist will give them an edge in their education and when applying for future work.
9. Professional Networks and Associations for Cytologists
Professional networks and associations can be helpful for new cytologists. They are a wealth of information about the field, certification requirements, and often have job boards. Many also provide educational resources for continuing education requirements or for cytologists looking to keep up with an ever-changing field.
The top networks and associations for cytologists are:
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- American Society of Cytopathology (ASC)
- American Society for Cytology (ASCT)
- International Academy of Cytology
10. Scholarships Available for Cytologists
Paying for a cytology program can be daunting for aspiring professionals in this field. Most programs’ rigors don’t allow much time for students to work, so many students have to find other ways to fund their education. While loans may seem like the most straightforward answer, many grants and scholarships are available to aspiring cytologists.
One place to start is the ASPC. They have a foundation scholarship fund for various degrees and courses of study, including cytology. Also, most schools and certificate programs have scholarships for students to apply for. Scholarship selection criteria include educational achievements, leadership skills, letters of recommendation, community involvement, minority status, and application essays.
