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The differences between certified phlebotomy technicians 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 a certified phlebotomy technician and a medical laboratory technician. Additionally, a medical laboratory technician has an average salary of $51,780, which is higher than the $39,656 average annual salary of a certified phlebotomy technician.
The top three skills for a certified phlebotomy technician include patients, CPT and laboratory specimens. The most important skills for a medical laboratory technician are medical laboratory, patients, and ASCP.
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,656 | $51,780 |
| Hourly rate | $19.07 | $24.89 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 100,272 | 88,721 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 55% |
| 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.
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.
Certified phlebotomy technicians and medical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,656 | $51,780 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $56,000 | Between $37,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a certified phlebotomy technician and a medical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | University of Maryland - College Park |
Here are the differences between certified phlebotomy technicians' and medical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.6% Female, 82.4% | Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7% |
| 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, 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% |