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The differences between clinical technicians and clinical 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 clinical technician and a clinical laboratory technician. Additionally, a clinical laboratory technician has an average salary of $50,756, which is higher than the $35,760 average annual salary of a clinical technician.
The top three skills for a clinical technician include patients, vital signs and phlebotomy. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.
| Clinical Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,760 | $50,756 |
| Hourly rate | $17.19 | $24.40 |
| Growth rate | 9% | - |
| Number of jobs | 161,812 | 119,050 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations. They also maintain medical charts, update patients' information on the database, and administer patients' medication. A clinical technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as strictly following internal guidelines and safety procedures during operations.
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 technicians and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,760 | $50,756 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $48,000 | Between $36,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Brigham and Women's Hospital | Claxton Hepburn |
| Best paying industry | Government | Media |
There are a few differences between a clinical technician and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | New York University |
Here are the differences between clinical technicians' and clinical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Clinical Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% 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% |