Clinical laboratory scientist vs clinical laboratory technician

The differences between clinical laboratory scientists and clinical laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a clinical laboratory scientist, becoming a clinical laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a clinical laboratory scientist has an average salary of $67,900, which is higher than the $50,756 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a clinical laboratory scientist include patients, test results and microbiology. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.

Clinical laboratory scientist vs clinical laboratory technician overview

	Clinical Laboratory Scientist	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$67,900	$50,756
Hourly rate	$32.64	$24.40
Growth rate	17%	-
Number of jobs	133,838	119,050
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a clinical laboratory scientist do?

A Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for performing laboratory tests that doctors count on to correctly diagnose and treat patients. They examine body fluids, tissues, and cells, identify infective microorganisms, and analyze the chemical constituents of body fluids.

What does a clinical laboratory technician do?

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.

Clinical laboratory scientist vs clinical laboratory technician salary

Clinical laboratory scientists and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Laboratory Scientist	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$67,900	$50,756
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $99,000	Between $36,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Stockton, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Westpac	Claxton Hepburn
Best paying industry	Health Care	Media

Differences between clinical laboratory scientist and clinical laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a clinical laboratory scientist and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

	Clinical Laboratory Scientist	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 78%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Biology
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	New York University

Clinical laboratory scientist vs clinical laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between clinical laboratory scientists' and clinical laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Clinical Laboratory Scientist	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 34.8% Female, 65.2%	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 15.4% White, 52.5% 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%

Differences between clinical laboratory scientist and clinical laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Clinical laboratory scientist example responsibilities.

Analyze specimens in hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, chemistry, toxicology, blood bank, and limit microbiology and serology.
Perform testing on donor and patient samples on platforms using methodologies including EIA, CLIA, and NAT (PCR).
Perform patient blood analysis, interpret serology, immunology and flowcytometry results.
Provide phlebotomy, specimen processing and laboratory testing for clinical trial studies.
Analyze specimens in areas of hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, and clinical chemistry within time constraints in a high-volume environment.
Perform microbiology, mycology and bacteriology

Clinical laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Provide oversight of training and competency testing of technicians to ensure compliance with CLIA, HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
Collect, process, and analyze clinical specimens for several departments including microbiology, chemistry, hematology, and urinalysis
Experience working in a hospital laboratory in automate chemistry, hematology, blood bank, urinalysis, and immunology departments.
Dispose of biohazard wastes according to OSHA standards ..
Screen blood products for pathogens and co-treatment success.

Clinical laboratory scientist vs clinical laboratory technician skills

Common clinical laboratory scientist skills

Patients, 12%
Test Results, 8%
Microbiology, 7%
CLS, 7%
Hematology, 6%
ASCP, 6%

Common clinical laboratory technician skills

Patients, 16%
Test Results, 7%
Patient Care, 6%
Hematology, 5%
Body Fluids, 4%
Proficiency Testing, 4%

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Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Clinical Laboratory Scientist vs Clinical Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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