Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between accessioners and medical laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an accessioner and a medical laboratory technician. Additionally, a medical laboratory technician has an average salary of $51,780, which is higher than the $32,627 average annual salary of an accessioner.
The top three skills for an accessioner include laboratory specimens, laboratory analysis and lab tests. The most important skills for a medical laboratory technician are medical laboratory, patients, and ASCP.
| Accessioner | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,627 | $51,780 |
| Hourly rate | $15.69 | $24.89 |
| Growth rate | - | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 59,541 | 88,721 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 37% | Associate Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
An accessioner works at laboratories where they are primarily in charge of managing and organizing specimens, assisting scientists as needed. Their responsibilities include receiving and verifying samples, labeling and preparing specimens according to its purpose, updating databases, disposing of waste properly, and examining samples for any contamination. They may also answer client and staff inquiries, providing them with accurate information such as timelines and results. Furthermore, as an accessioner, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff and adhere to the laboratory's rules and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
A medical laboratory technician is responsible for assisting medical health professionals in conducting laboratory tests to diagnose patients' conditions and provide treatments. Medical laboratory technicians ensure the sanitation of all the tools and equipment before conducting tests. They collect adequate blood samples and specimens, analyze fluid elements, utilize laboratory equipment safely, create reports of findings, and alert medical personnel and medical technologists of emergency conditions. A medical laboratory technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry disciplines and processes to perform sensitive tasks and release accurate medical results.
Accessioners and medical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Accessioner | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,627 | $51,780 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $45,000 | Between $37,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an accessioner and a medical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Accessioner | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 37% | Associate Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Biology | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Maryland - College Park |
Here are the differences between accessioners' and medical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Accessioner | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.6% Female, 74.4% | Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 11.8% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |