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The differences between assistant laboratory technicians and clinical 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 assistant laboratory technician and a clinical laboratory technician. Additionally, a clinical laboratory technician has an average salary of $50,756, which is higher than the $35,556 average annual salary of an assistant laboratory technician.
The top three skills for an assistant laboratory technician include patients, ladders and computer lab. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,556 | $50,756 |
| Hourly rate | $17.09 | $24.40 |
| Growth rate | 1% | - |
| Number of jobs | 116,488 | 119,050 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
The primary responsibility of a lab assistant is to help scientists and technologists. Lab assistants are assigned to prepare and monitor tests and experiments in research or medical laboratory. They analyze data and establish reports based on test results. Also, they set up the tools and equipment used in the lab. It is also part of their job to clean the lab rooms--knowledge in lab management, communication skills, attention to detail, and medical-related management.
A clinical laboratory technician typically works under the direction of a physician or medical technologist to perform tests that will aid in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions and illnesses. You will perform various duties, including preparing samples for analysis, monitoring tests and procedures, and matching blood for transfusion. Additionally, you are expected to participate in staff training and educational opportunities and contribute to a secure and safe environment for patients, physicians, co-workers, and visitors. This role will also require ensuring that laboratory information remains confidential.
Assistant laboratory technicians and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,556 | $50,756 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $57,000 | Between $36,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Manchester, NH | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Patterson-UTI Energy | Claxton Hepburn |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between an assistant laboratory technician and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Maryland - College Park | New York University |
Here are the differences between assistant laboratory technicians' and clinical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Assistant Laboratory Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.9% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |