Can a Chemistry major become a Clinical Laboratory Scientist? I’ve heard that only life sciences majors can, but I wasn’t sure if that were true.
Yes though it is a lot of work. You need a year of rotation where you are not paid and the pay for CLS is not great most places it is about $38-45k. It is one of the least well paying and glamorous professions in healthcare.
@bben15 and @MSChemist81: Regarding salary ranges for CLS, it really depends upon which states you are employed and if the they require additional licensing beyond the National licensing. I am a CLS that works in California and average pay for new CLS in the field is around $45-55K/year. If you work you way up to a Supervisory position, average salaries are at $80K/year or more.
A Chemistry major can become a CLS, but you would need to take extra classes to fulfill the requirements of applying for an laboratory internship. I agree that it is not the most glamorous or best paying jobs, but I have found that I have been satisfied with my decision to pursue this occupation. One thing you can always guarantee is that people will get sick and there is a need for educated laboratory personnel as part of the whole healthcare team.
Good Luck.
I’d also like to point out that a salary of around $45-55K is actually pretty good - a regular middle-class income and well above the national median individual income. How much you make also depends on where you work; CLS who work in hospitals or diagnostic laboratories make more on average (closer to $60K, according to the BLS).
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm
Those numbers are far too low. IMO pathology is a good field. Id look into being s pathologist or pathologists assistant first but the pay isnt bad for any of these jobs.