How the national numbers differ
1Dietitians and Nutritionists has the edge on projected growth
Dietitians and Nutritionists is at 7.7% projected growth, compared with 2.7% projected growth for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians.
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians has the edge on annual openings
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians is at 20,800 annual openings, compared with 5,700 annual openings for Dietitians and Nutritionists.
Typical preparation differs.
Dietitians and Nutritionists: Bachelor's degree; Internship or residency follows qualifying education. Check its duration, pay, and licensing requirements Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians: An associate degree in clinical laboratory science is a typical technician route. Some certificate routes also exist. Check clinical placements, certification eligibility, and state requirements; the combined BLS group's bachelor's category does not describe every technician route. Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.
Dietitians and Nutritionists has the edge on median pay
Dietitians and Nutritionists is at $76,400, compared with $62,930 for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians.
59.2/ 100Dietitians and Nutritionists
vs
59/ 100Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.
Detailed evidence
Dietitians and Nutritionists vs Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
| Dimension | Dietitians and Nutritionists | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians |
|---|
| Median pay (2025) | $76,400 | $62,930 |
|---|
| Pay percentile | 66.7 percentile | 53.6 percentile |
|---|
| Projected growth (2025–2035) | 7.7% | 2.7% |
|---|
| Annual openings (2025–2035) | 5,700 | 20,800 |
|---|
| 2025 employment | 86,300 | 343,000 |
|---|
| How you qualify | Bachelor's degree; Internship or residency follows qualifying education. Check its duration, pay, and licensing requirements | An associate degree in clinical laboratory science is a typical technician route. Some certificate routes also exist. Check clinical placements, certification eligibility, and state requirements; the combined BLS group's bachelor's category does not describe every technician route. |
| O*NET preparation group | Job Zone 5 | Job Zone 3 |
| Related work experience | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. | Prior experience requirements need verification for this occupation. |
| On-the-job training | Internship or residency follows qualifying education. Check its duration, pay, and licensing requirements. | Verify the specialty's training, licensing, and full preparation time with an accredited program or employer. |
| Schedules | Varies by employer and setting; ask about shifts, overtime, on-call work, and predictable hours. | Hospital laboratories may operate overnight, on weekends, and on holidays. Ask about shift assignments in the setting you are considering. |
| Physical work | Unknown: review standing, lifting, repetitive movement, and posture with a practitioner. No overall physical-demand rating is assigned. | Handling biological samples requires protective equipment and safety procedures. Repetitive tasks and prolonged standing can occur. |
The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.
