How the national numbers differ
1Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians has the edge on annual openings
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians is at 20,800 annual openings, compared with 1,400 annual openings for Recreational Therapists.
Recreational Therapists has the edge on projected growth
Recreational Therapists is at 4.8% projected growth, compared with 2.7% projected growth for Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians.
Typical preparation differs.
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. Recreational Therapists: Bachelor's degree Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.
National pay benchmarks are very similar.
Compare actual offers, expected paid hours, schedule, and benefits before treating either career as the higher-paying option.
59/ 100Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
vs
44.2/ 100Recreational Therapists
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
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians vs Recreational Therapists
| Dimension | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians | Recreational Therapists |
|---|
| Median pay (2025) | $62,930 | $61,960 |
|---|
| Pay percentile | 53.6 percentile | 51.5 percentile |
|---|
| Projected growth (2025–2035) | 2.7% | 4.8% |
|---|
| Annual openings (2025–2035) | 20,800 | 1,400 |
|---|
| 2025 employment | 343,000 | 15,600 |
|---|
| How you qualify | 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. | Bachelor's degree |
| O*NET preparation group | Job Zone 3 | Job Zone 4 |
| Related work experience | Prior experience requirements need verification for this occupation. | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. |
| On-the-job training | Verify the specialty's training, licensing, and full preparation time with an accredited program or employer. | BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training. |
| Schedules | Hospital laboratories may operate overnight, on weekends, and on holidays. Ask about shift assignments in the setting you are considering. | Varies by employer and setting; ask about shifts, overtime, on-call work, and predictable hours. |
| Physical work | Handling biological samples requires protective equipment and safety procedures. Repetitive tasks and prolonged standing can occur. | Unknown: review standing, lifting, repetitive movement, and posture with a practitioner. No overall physical-demand rating is assigned. |
The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.
