Cytogenetic Technologists
Analyze chromosomes or chromosome segments found in biological specimens, such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, solid tumors, and blood to aid in the study, diagnosis, classification, or treatment of inherited or acquired genetic diseases. Conduct analyses through classical cytogenetic, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) techniques.
$62,930 a year (for the broader BLS group this job sits in).
of the working time. Estimate.
- 72%
- 0%
- 28%
Anthropic's data does not cover this job.
On the chosen pace and reliability. Estimate.
Share of the working time within reach, now to 2030
What each choice means: , , , , . Every pace starts from .
At this date and pace, models finish tasks up to 4.4 h long four times in five.
How far this has come
With GPT-4, measured in March 2023, 0% of this job's working time was within reach at . With Claude 3.7 Sonnet, measured in February 2025, 2%. With Claude Mythos Preview (early), measured in April 2026, 47%. Today's estimate: 53%.
A backcast: today's task data with the best model METR had measured by each date. It shows how fast the models have moved, not what anyone forecast at the time.
The tasks
Sorted by . 30 tasks from .
| Task | Kind | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyze chromosomes found in biological specimens to aid diagnoses and treatments for genetic diseases such as congenital disabilities, fertility problems, and hematological disorders.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 11% | 1.3 h25 min to 3.3 h | 77%Half by now | |
| Develop and implement training programs for trainees, medical students, resident physicians or post-doctoral fellows.Done more than yearly by most who do it. | 11% | 2.1 work days3.3 h to 1.3 work weeks | 1%Half by Jul 2028 | |
| Develop, implement, and monitor quality control and quality assurance programs to ensure accurate and precise test performance and reports.Done daily by most who do it. | 10% | 3.3 h1.7 h to 6.7 h | 49%Half by now | |
| Count numbers of chromosomes and identify the structural abnormalities by viewing culture slides through microscopes, light microscopes, or photomicroscopes.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 9% | 1.3 h25 min to 2.5 h | Stays with people | |
| Examine chromosomes found in biological specimens to detect abnormalities.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 7% | 50 min25 min to 2.5 h | 95%Half by now | |
| Recognize and report abnormalities in the color, size, shape, composition, or pattern of cells.Done hourly or more by most who do it. AI observed on this task. | 6% | 1.1 h25 min to 2.5 h | 91%Half by now | |
| Arrange and attach chromosomes in numbered pairs on karyotype charts, using standard genetics laboratory practices and nomenclature, to identify normal or abnormal chromosomes.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 6% | 38 min17 min to 1.7 h | 98%Half by now | |
| Create chromosome images using computer imaging systems.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 5% | 38 min17 min to 1.3 h | 100%Half by now | |
| Describe chromosome, FISH and aCGH analysis results in International System of Cytogenetic Nomenclature (ISCN) language.Done hourly or more by most who do it. | 5% | 38 min13 min to 1.7 h | 95%Half by now | |
| Prepare biological specimens such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, tumors, chorionic villi, and blood, for chromosome examinations.Done several times a day by most who do it. | 4% | 38 min17 min to 1.3 h | Stays with people | |
| Supervise subordinate laboratory staff.Done daily by most who do it. | 3% | 1.3 h25 min to 3.3 h | Stays with people | |
| Summarize test results and report to appropriate authorities.Done several times a day by most who do it. | 3% | 25 min13 min to 50 min | 100%Half by now |
Within reach, per task: the share of the task's time whose instances are short enough for a model to finish at the chosen date, pace and reliability. Half by: the date half of that time comes within reach.
Jobs that share skills with this one
From O*NET's related occupations. Within reach now and by the end of 2028, long-run pace, four in five.
Where this job works
The industry groups that employ the most of it (BLS, May 2025). Counts are for the broader BLS group this job sits in.
Where the most of these jobs are
The metro areas with the most people in it (BLS, May 2025). Counts are for the broader BLS group this job sits in.