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Singulariki

Histotechnologists

Occupation · SOC 29-2011.04

Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.

Also called: Histology Lab Manager (Histology Laboratory Manager) · Histology Specialist · Histology Technologist · Histotechnologist · Clinical Lab Manager (Clinical Laboratory Manager) · Grossing Technician (Grossing Tech) · Histocompatibility Technologist · Histologist · Histotechnician · Mohs Technician (Micrographically Oriented Histographic Surgery Technician)

Job family: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

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Download .md

A source-stamped Markdown brief of this occupation — paste it into an agent, or fetch /roles/role-29-2011-04/context.md directly.

AI work map

A fast read on where AI already shows up in this occupation, where it stays a copilot, where humans remain in the loop, and what the labor market is doing. Built from observed Claude.ai conversations mapped to O*NET tasks and from published research — measures of usage and exposure, not advice or predictions that the job is going away.

AI & job outlook

What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.

Exposure to current AI

Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.

Measure Rank vs all occupations Percentile Score
Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) Moderate 56th 0.3
LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) Moderate 40th 0.4

OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.1), with simple added tooling (β 0.3), and including AI-powered software (γ 0.4). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.

This job mostly cannot be done remotely (Dingel–Neiman) — its hands-on tasks sit outside what software-based AI reaches.

Mixed signals. Today's AI/LLM studies show relatively low exposure for this job, but the older (2013) Frey–Osborne work rated it higher for computerization and robotics. Different eras, different technologies — the AI measures above reflect the current state.

Historical automation estimate (2013)

A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.

Frey–Osborne probability 0.9 · 78th percentile among occupations · High

How AI is actually used in this job

Among measured AI assistant conversations mapped to this occupation (Anthropic Economic Index, 2026-01-15), these task types came up most. These are shares of observed AI conversations — not shares of the job, of worker time, or of what could be automated.

Teach students or other staff. 0.8%
Identify tissue structures or cell components to be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of diseases. 0.5%
Prepare or use prepared tissue specimens for teaching, research or diagnostic purposes. 0.4%

Where this work sits on the global GenAI gradient

The ILO's 2025 global study scores generative-AI exposure on the international ISCO-08 occupation system, not US SOC. Bridged through the published (and approximate, many-to-many) IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 crosswalk, this US occupation corresponds to the international occupation below. Exposure here means how much of the work's tasks today's AI can attempt — task overlap, not automation, adoption, or jobs lost.

31% mean task exposure (2025)
58th percentile of 427 placed occupations
+1 pts shift 2023 → 2025
International occupation (ISCO-08) Task exposure (2025) Most tasks fall in
Medical and Pathology Laboratory Technicians · 3212 31% Minimal

Read the whole six-band gradient on the GenAI exposure gradient page. The crosswalk is approximate: a US occupation can map to several international ones, and the ILO scores describe the international occupation, not this exact US role.

Tasks

All 16 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.

Emerging tasks

Newer responsibilities O*NET has flagged as growing for this occupation.

  • Cut sections of body tissues for microscopic examination, using microtomes or cryostats.
  • Select and maintain controls for stains.

Work activities

Knowledge, skills & abilities

O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).

Abilities

Near Vision 4.0
Written Comprehension 3.8
Oral Comprehension 3.5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.5
Oral Expression 3.4
Written Expression 3.4
Problem Sensitivity 3.4
Deductive Reasoning 3.3
Information Ordering 3.3
Selective Attention 3.3
Inductive Reasoning 3.1
Category Flexibility 3.1
Finger Dexterity 3.1
Far Vision 3.1
Visual Color Discrimination 3.1
Speech Recognition 3.1
Speech Clarity 3.1
Flexibility of Closure 3.0
Control Precision 3.0

Knowledge

Biology 4.0
Production and Processing 3.5
Chemistry 3.5
Customer and Personal Service 3.4
English Language 3.2
Administrative 3.0
Education and Training 3.0
Mathematics 3.0

Essential skills

Reading Comprehension 3.5
Critical Thinking 3.4
Monitoring 3.4
Active Listening 3.3
Speaking 3.3
Active Learning 3.3
Writing 3.1
Science 3.0

Transferable skills

Judgment and Decision Making 3.4
Complex Problem Solving 3.3
Operations Monitoring 3.3
Time Management 3.1
Coordination 3.0

Skills in demand

Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.

Tools & technology

Example Category
MEDITECH software Medical software Hot technology
Microsoft Access Data base user interface and query software Hot technology
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet software Hot technology
Microsoft Office software Office suite software Hot technology
Microsoft Outlook Electronic mail software Hot technology
Microsoft Word Word processing software Hot technology
Brady Specimen Labeling System Label making software
Cerner Millennium Medical software
Laboratory information system LIS Medical software
Specimen labeling system software Label making software

Work context

How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled 5.0
Time Pressure 4.9
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls 4.8
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets 4.8
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions 4.7
E-Mail 4.7
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions 4.7
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate 4.5
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks 4.5
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams 4.4
Exposed to Contaminants 4.4
Telephone Conversations 4.3
Consequence of Error 4.1
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team 3.9
Frequency of Decision Making 3.8
Contact With Others 3.8
Health and Safety of Other Workers 3.7
Freedom to Make Decisions 3.7
Exposed to Disease or Infections 3.7
Spend Time Sitting 3.7
Physical Proximity 3.6
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals 3.6
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results 3.3
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment 3.2
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers 3.1
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities 3.1
Degree of Automation 2.8
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment 2.8
Conflict Situations 2.8
Spend Time Standing 2.7
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings 2.7
Written Letters and Memos 2.6
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable 2.5
Level of Competition 2.4
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General 2.4
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People 2.4
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body 2.2
Spend Time Walking or Running 2.1
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection 2.0
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions 1.7

How to get in

Job zone
Zone 4 — Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Preparation level
SVP (7.0 to < 8.0) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.

What to study: Biological and Biomedical Sciences , Health Professions and Related Programs . Fields of study crosswalked to this occupation (NCES CIP–SOC), not a requirement.

Education of current workers

Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.

Bachelor's Degree 42.9%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) 19.1%
Post-Secondary Certificate 14.3%
Master's Degree 9.5%
High School Diploma 4.8%
Some College Courses 4.8%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 4.8%

Interests & work styles

The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.

Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)

Investigative 6.6
Realistic 5.7
Conventional 5.2
Social 2.9

Interest areas

Life Science 6.1
Medical Science 6.0
Health Care Service 5.1
Physical Science 2.9
Mechanics/Electronics 2.8
Teaching/Education 2.1
Physical/Manual Labor 1.9

Work styles

Dependability 5.0
Attention to Detail 4.0
Integrity 3.0
Cautiousness 2.4
Intellectual Curiosity 2.0
Exposure quadrant: AI task-overlap percentile vs Median pay AI task-overlap (horizontal) versus median pay (vertical) for 6 occupations adjacent to Histotechnologists. Lower overlap · higher pay Higher overlap · higher pay Higher overlap · lower pay Lower overlap · lower pay Surgical Technologists Phlebotomists Neurodiagnostic Technologists Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians Biological Technicians Microbiologists AI task-overlap percentile → ↑ Median pay
AI task-overlap percentile (horizontal) vs. median-pay percentile (vertical), across all scored occupations. This occupation is highlighted; related occupations are plotted alongside it. Overlap measures shared tasks with AI, not automation.

Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.

What you can do with this

Options the data surfaces for Histotechnologists — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.

Skills that travel

Capabilities this work builds that are used across many other occupations.

Adjacent roles

Occupations O*NET rates as related — the nearby moves on the map.

Paths in

How people typically prepare for this work.

Zoom out

On the global GenAI exposure gradient this work sits around the 58th percentile of 427 international occupations.

Write a report on thisheadline · factoids · citation

Histotechnologists sit at the 47th percentile of AI task overlap among U.S. occupations

  • Histotechnologists rank in the 47th percentile (Moderate band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated.Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE
Copy the whole kit
Histotechnologists sit at the 47th percentile of AI task overlap among U.S. occupations

• Histotechnologists rank in the 47th percentile (Moderate band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated. (Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE)

Source: Singulariki — "Histotechnologists". https://singulariki.com/roles/role-29-2011-04
Note: AI task overlap measures what today's AI can attempt, not automation, job loss, or a forecast.

AssetsShare imageMethodology & sourcesPress & newsroomThe newsroom

Every line is built only from figures this page already shows and cites. AI task overlap means what today's AI can attempt — not automation, job loss, or a forecast.

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

Cite this page
Plain

Singulariki. "Histotechnologists." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-29-2011-04

APA

Singulariki. (2026). Histotechnologists. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/roles/role-29-2011-04

BibTeX 
@misc{singulariki-role-29-2011-04,
  title  = {Histotechnologists},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130; AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) Felten, Raj & Seamans; ILO / Gmyrek et al. GenAI exposure gradient 2025; IBS O*NET-SOC ↔ ISCO-08 occupation crosswalk 2022; Frey & Osborne (2013) frey-osborne-automation; Dingel & Neiman (2020) dingel-neiman-workathome. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/roles/role-29-2011-04}
}

Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.

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