A side-by-side comparison of salary, job growth, and training to help you choose between becoming a registered nurse and a medical laboratory technician.
| Registered Nurse | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| BLS median salary | $93,600 | $61,890 |
| Typical salary range | $94,000-$135,000 | $62,000-$98,000 |
| Job growth (2024–34) | 5% | 2% |
| Time to job-ready | 16-24 months ABSN | 2 years (associate) or 4 years (bachelor) |
| Typical training cost | $40,000 | $15,000 |
Registered Nurse has the higher BLS median wage ($93,600), while Registered Nurse gets you earning faster (16-24 months ABSN). Registered Nurse has the stronger projected job growth (5% through 2034). Your degree is an advantage in either — use the quiz to see which fits your background, or run both through the ROI calculator against your student loans.
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Median wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). Training costs and timelines are typical estimates. Data last updated June 2026.