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The differences between certified phlebotomy technicians and laboratory assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a certified phlebotomy technician and a laboratory assistant. Additionally, a certified phlebotomy technician has an average salary of $39,656, which is higher than the $34,168 average annual salary of a laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a certified phlebotomy technician include patients, CPT and laboratory specimens. The most important skills for a laboratory assistant are patients, phlebotomy, and customer service.
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $39,656 | $34,168 |
| Hourly rate | $19.07 | $16.43 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 100,272 | 50,853 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A certified phlebotomy technician draws blood from patients of all ages through venipuncture and finger or heel pricks. They label vials with patient information and date of collection, store blood according to protocols, and prepare the samples for transport or laboratory examinations. Their duties also include gathering and verifying client information, answering inquiries, conducting initial interviews to identify any existing illnesses, checking the patients' blood pressure, and maintaining records. Moreover, as a certified phlebotomy technician, it is essential to coordinate with fellow phlebotomists and keep an open communication line with physicians and nurses.
Laboratory assistants work for researchers, scientists, or professors in the laboratory setting. They are expected to have a solid background in the field of study of the laboratory they are assigned to. They do a variety of tasks in the laboratory, such as setting up equipment, observing experiments, analyzing results, creating reports, and recommending improvements to the testing. They may also be assigned to clean and sanitize laboratory equipment as needed. Laboratory assistants should have good research skills, analytical skills, and organizational skills.
Certified phlebotomy technicians and laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $39,656 | $34,168 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $56,000 | Between $26,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | - | UST Global |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a certified phlebotomy technician and a laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | New York University |
Here are the differences between certified phlebotomy technicians' and laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.6% Female, 82.4% | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 13.9% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |