68K MOS Medical Laboratory Specialist — Civilian Career Guide
Performs clinical laboratory tests on body fluids and tissues. Direct transfer to civilian medical laboratory technician careers.
CAREER PATHS
4
TOP SALARY
$60,780.00
AVG SALARY
$57,835.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
Medical Laboratory Technician
SOC 29-2012
$60,780.00
median/yr
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
SOC 29-2011
$60,780.00
median/yr
Pathology Technician
SOC 29-2012
$60,780.00
median/yr
Quality Control Analyst
SOC 19-4099
$49,000.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most 68K Medical Laboratory Specialist veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Army COOL / Credentialing Assistance ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with 68K service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a Medical Laboratory Specialist role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Rucking, lifting, and body armor load the spine for years.
See how it is rated →Rucks, jumps, and repetitive impact wear the knees.
See how it is rated →Combat, trauma, or high-stress duty can cause lasting symptoms.
See how it is rated →Long hours on your feet in boots inflame the heel/arch.
See how it is rated →High-tempo or high-stakes duty can cause lasting anxiety.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Translate Your 68K Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Medical Laboratory Specialist skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Army veterans.
68K Medical Laboratory Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 68K Medical Laboratory Specialist do?
Performs clinical laboratory tests on body fluids and tissues. Direct transfer to civilian medical laboratory technician careers.
What civilian jobs can a 68K Medical Laboratory Specialist transition into?
Common civilian careers for a 68K (Army MOS) Medical Laboratory Specialist include Medical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Pathology Technician, and Quality Control Analyst. These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a 68K Medical Laboratory Specialist make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a 68K Medical Laboratory Specialist have median salaries ranging from about $49,000 to $60,780 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a 68K Medical Laboratory Specialist land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a 68K Medical Laboratory Specialist resume include MLT (ASCP), MLS (ASCP), and AMT Certification. Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a 68K Medical Laboratory Specialist bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a 68K Medical Laboratory Specialist develops, including Hematology, Urinalysis, Blood banking, Microbiology, and Chemistry analysis. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
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