Healthcare · SOC 29-2011.02
AI-assisted cytology screening is already FDA-cleared for Pap smears, but pathologist sign-off remains mandatory.
Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
Timeline: FDA-cleared AI screening tools are already reducing manual slide review volume; cytotechs who master AI-augmented workflows will remain essential as validators and edge-case interpreters for the next decade.
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$60,280 median pay
$48,790 median pay
$98,910 median pay
$73,850 median pay
$98,340 median pay
Healthcare
AI job-risk card
Cytotechnologists is watch on AIFear. Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
AIFear.com
Our AI Fear Score for Cytotechnologists is 45/100 (Watch). Parts of the job are exposed, but judgment and context still matter.
45 out of 100, based on an AI-model review of this occupation's O*NET tasks against what current AI can actually do.
Most exposed: Initial screening of Pap smear slides for abnormal cells, Documenting specimen and patient information, Preparing standardized staining protocols, Generating preliminary technical reports. Harder to automate: Examining ambiguous or rare cellular abnormalities, Submitting and discussing complex cases with pathologists, Performing fine needle aspiration biopsy assistance, Maintaining laboratory safety and specimen integrity.
Lean into AI-assisted digital pathology, Telepathology workflows, Advanced cytological interpretation, Clinical collaboration. Consider roles such as Digital pathology specialist or Laboratory operations supervisor or Molecular cytology technologist.
Tasks, skills and AI-exposure for this role were reviewed by an AI model against its O*NET task profile (curated roles use published research anchors). Pay and employment, where shown, are U.S. BLS OEWS (May 2024) figures. This is an estimate, not a prediction about any individual's job. Compare all occupations.