Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Piedmont Technical College

Greenwood, SC · Public · Certificate · Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

with a smaller student body of 3,988 in Greenwood, SC.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $23,661/yr fall 40% below the $39,620 national median for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 51.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $12,500 against $23,661/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #106 ranking among 146 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research programs places Piedmont Technical College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
47
Score
47
High End
Earnings $23,661/yr (-40% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (79,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$248K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
51.8x
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)
$4,775
Out-of-state: $6,923
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Piedmont Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 47/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research at Piedmont Technical College?
This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Can you still earn well with Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research from Piedmont Technical College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Piedmont 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.
How many job openings are there for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research graduates?
With approximately 79,700 annual openings across mapped careers, Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →