Page 43 - Skills - 2024

organizations that are dedicated to science research and patient advocacy. The industry also supports jobs in many related services, such as consulting, marketing, and financing.
In order to keep a pipeline of suitable job candidates, the County Executive’s office is undertaking a study to assess current job openings and what the expected demand for life sciences jobs will be in the future. The county government also wants to ensure that Westchester-based employees are trained properly and have the skills they need to
get hired.
You Don’t Need a Doctorate
While many people may assume that all life sciences jobs require a master’s, medical, or doctorate degree, that is not the case. There are many opportunities for those with a bachelor’s degree or associate degree.
For example, clinical laboratory technicians typically require a Bachelor of Science degree, but some positions may only require an associate degree. The median salary for such positions in the county was almost $77,000 last year, according to a job-seeker report by the Westchester County Association. Clinical laboratory technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. Employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 24,000 openings for clinical laboratory technologists
and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Another high-demand job available — usually with an associate degree — is a phlebotomist. Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. The mean salary for a phlebotomist in New York State is close to $47,000. Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 8% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations, and with the New York Blood Center opening and expanding in Rye, Westchester-based job seekers are sure to see many job openings here in
the future. About 19,500 openings for phlebotomists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
“The life sciences sector is only going to keep growing and will have a tremendous impact on the entire ecosystem of the county,” concludes Gibbons.
Some Key Westchester Employers
• Cognition Therapeutics
• New York Blood Center
• Oligomerix
• Quadrus Medical Technologies • Regeneron
For a more complete list of employers in Westchester’s life sciences ecosystem, view this map.
What’s Hot. What’s Next. What’s Needed.
2024 SKILLS 41
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© Adobe Stock