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The differences between clinical laboratory scientists and 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 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 $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a clinical laboratory scientist include patients, test results and microbiology. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Clinical Laboratory Scientist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $67,900 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $32.64 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 133,838 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
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.
Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
Clinical laboratory scientists and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Laboratory Scientist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $67,900 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $99,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Westpac | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a clinical laboratory scientist and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Laboratory Scientist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Biology |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | New York University |
Here are the differences between clinical laboratory scientists' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Clinical Laboratory Scientist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.8% Female, 65.2% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| 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, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |