Lab Work and Imaging Careers

Help doctors discover what’s going on inside the body

Lab Work and Imaging Careers are all about helping doctors understand what’s happening inside the human body. Whether through lab tests or medical images, these professionals provide critical information that helps patients get the care they need.

Lab Work Careers

Help with Medical Diagnoses

Lab professionals help figure out what might be making someone sick by testing things like blood, urine, and other body fluids. They use microscopes and machines to find clues about a person’s health. Lab workers help people by giving doctors the information they need to make the right diagnosis. Their work makes sure patients get the right treatment, faster. Even though they often work behind the scenes, their job is life-saving. Lab and imaging workers don’t always work directly with patients, but they play a huge role in helping people get better.

What do they do?

Run tests to check for infections, diseases, and other health issues
Look at samples under a microscope
Use special machines to find bacteria, viruses, or unhealthy cells

Where they work:

hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, public health departments, research laboratories, blood banks and donor centers, physician offices and clinics

Imaging Careers

Helping People See What is Going on in the Body

Imaging professionals take pictures of the inside of the body using special machines like X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds. These images help doctors see bones, organs, and other parts of the body without having to do surgery. Imaging professionals help people by taking clear, detailed pictures that allow doctors to detect injuries or illnesses early. Their work makes it possible to treat health problems before they get worse.

What do they do?

Help patients get ready for scans or X-rays
Operate machines that take internal images of the body
Make sure the pictures are clear so doctors can read them

Where they work:

hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, urgent care centers, physician offices, surgical centers

What is it like to work in a Lab Work and Imaging career?

Many people who work in Lab Work and Imaging find it rewarding to be involved in and affect patient care without working in a direct care position with a lot of patient interaction. These positions are often part of a medical team, however, so an ability to work well with others is still very important.

When you are planning a career in Lab Work and Imaging, it is important have strong STEM skills – science, technology, engineering and math.

(Not sure if Lab Work and Imaging careers are right for you? Check out this personal interest inventory to help find potential careers that are a match.)

If you think you might want to work in a Lab Work and Imaging career, it is highly recommended that you work with a career counselor or academic counselor to make sure that you create a career plan that is realistic and matches your goals.

Local Lab Work and Imaging Career Occupations by Education and Training Level

Trends in lab work and imaging include

New technologies and capabilities are increasing demand for services in this field, and may require more specialized training for particular occupations.
An aging workforce nearing retirement may mean increased need for these positions in the near future.

Updated: May 19, 2025