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The differences between certified phlebotomists and medical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a certified phlebotomist, becoming a medical assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical assistant has an average salary of $34,900, which is higher than the $34,509 average annual salary of a certified phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a certified phlebotomist include patients, blood specimens and phlebotomy procedures. The most important skills for a medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and patient care.
| Certified Phlebotomist | Medical Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $34,509 | $34,900 |
| Hourly rate | $16.59 | $16.78 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 44,574 | 189,915 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 24% |
| Average age | 41 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A certified phlebotomist is a medical professional who specializes in drawing blood through venipuncture or finger and heel pricks, preparing the samples for laboratory procedures. Besides collecting blood, a phlebotomist is also responsible for gathering patient information, verifying identification, reviewing medical histories, labeling vials, and maintaining records, including diagnostic findings. They are also in charge of keeping laboratory equipment clean, discarding trash appropriately, and organizing supplies according to policies, ordering new supplies when necessary. Above all, a certified phlebotomist maintains an open and transparent communication line with nurses and physicians for an efficient workflow.
Medical assistants provide support to medical practitioners in both administrative and clerical tasks. They keep and update the patient's medical records, administer medicines under the supervision of a physician, assist during medical examinations, prepare medical samples for laboratory testing, manage the schedule of appointments, and assist the patients with their bills and in filling out needed forms, such as insurance-related documents. Medical assistants should have good communication skills and analytical skills, be organized, and be flexible. They should also have knowledge of how to operate some medical equipment such as x-ray machines.
Certified phlebotomists and medical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Certified Phlebotomist | Medical Assistant | |
| Average salary | $34,509 | $34,900 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Vancouver, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a certified phlebotomist and a medical assistant in terms of educational background:
| Certified Phlebotomist | Medical Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 24% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between certified phlebotomists' and medical assistants' demographics:
| Certified Phlebotomist | Medical Assistant | |
| Average age | 41 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7% | Male, 10.4% Female, 89.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 9.8% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 25.7% Asian, 8.8% White, 49.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |