Cytotechnologist vs medical laboratory scientist

The differences between cytotechnologists and medical laboratory scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a medical laboratory scientist has an average salary of $54,377, which is higher than the $49,566 average annual salary of a cytotechnologist.

The top three skills for a cytotechnologist include ASCP, patients and proficiency testing. The most important skills for a medical laboratory scientist are patients, ASCP, and clinical laboratory.

Cytotechnologist vs medical laboratory scientist overview

	Cytotechnologist	Medical Laboratory Scientist
Yearly salary	$49,566	$54,377
Hourly rate	$23.83	$26.14
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	39,930	121,913
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	2

What does a cytotechnologist do?

A Cytotechnologist evaluates specimens on glass slides using microscopes. They analyze fluid and tissue specimens for microscopic cellular abnormalities, such as bacterial and viral infections.

What does a medical laboratory scientist do?

As a medical laboratory scientist, you will be responsible for analyzing various types of body specimens, including blood, tissue, and urine. You will conduct scientific testing on samples and report the results to physicians. These results play an essential role in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions or illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. Your duties and responsibilities may include maintaining laboratory equipment such as microscopes and cell counters, tracking patient outcomes, and conducting differential cell counts. You are also expected to oversee the work of laboratory technicians.

Cytotechnologist vs medical laboratory scientist salary

Cytotechnologists and medical laboratory scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cytotechnologist	Medical Laboratory Scientist
Average salary	$49,566	$54,377
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $95,000	Between $41,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	Hicksville, NY	Reno, NV
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	OSF HealthCare	Eli Lilly and Company
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between cytotechnologist and medical laboratory scientist education

There are a few differences between a cytotechnologist and a medical laboratory scientist in terms of educational background:

	Cytotechnologist	Medical Laboratory Scientist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common major	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Cytotechnologist vs medical laboratory scientist demographics

Here are the differences between cytotechnologists' and medical laboratory scientists' demographics:

	Cytotechnologist	Medical Laboratory Scientist
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%	Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 12.7% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between cytotechnologist and medical laboratory scientist duties and responsibilities

Cytotechnologist example responsibilities.

Identify, verify and maintain an appropriate stock of control blocks for use in IHC staining.
Process approximately 1,200 GYN , 400 non-GYN, and 400 FNA samples per year.
Perform routine maintenance and quality control documentation for IHC staining equipment.
Process cell samples using microtomy wet tissue trimming and immunohistochemistry staining techniques.
Perform testing, training and technical supervision of all cytology and histology procedures.
Perform QC slide screening and data entry

Medical laboratory scientist example responsibilities.

Attain extensive phlebotomy experience with a challenging pediatric patient population.
Perform complex laboratory diagnostic tests as medical laboratory scientist in hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis and blood bank.
Evaluate quality control within the laboratory using standard laboratory test and measurement controls while maintaining compliance with CLIA and OSHA.
Execute and analyze test in areas including, hematology, urinalysis, serology, bacteriology, chemistry and transfusion services.
Assist in Cerner LIS system implementation and resource as super user.
Experience in immunology, infectious disease testing, and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Cytotechnologist vs medical laboratory scientist skills

Common cytotechnologist skills

ASCP, 18%
Patients, 13%
Proficiency Testing, 5%
Test Results, 5%
CLIA, 5%
Clinical Laboratory, 4%

Common medical laboratory scientist skills

Patients, 13%
ASCP, 11%
Clinical Laboratory, 10%
MLS, 8%
Proficiency Testing, 5%
Patient Care, 4%

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Cytotechnologist vs Medical Laboratory Scientist

Updated January 8, 2025

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