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Cytotechnologist vs pathologist

The differences between cytotechnologists and pathologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pathologist has an average salary of $61,808, 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 pathologist are patients, patient care, and diagnosis.

Cytotechnologist vs pathologist overview

CytotechnologistPathologist
Yearly salary$49,566$61,808
Hourly rate$23.83$29.72
Growth rate-7%
Number of jobs39,93020,340
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4448
Years of experience-6

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 pathologist do?

Pathologists are medical healthcare professionals who are responsible for conducting examinations of bodies and body tissues. These pathologists must perform laboratory tests of body fluids and tissues to help primary care doctors make a diagnosis about the health of patients who are with chronic conditions. They specialize in genetic testing that will examine a tissue biopsy to determine whether a tumor is benign or cancerous. Pathologists must also perform autopsies to inform family members of the deceased about the cause of death and help them take preventive action for their own health.

Cytotechnologist vs pathologist salary

Cytotechnologists and pathologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

CytotechnologistPathologist
Average salary$49,566$61,808
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $95,000Between $25,000 And $148,000
Highest paying CityHicksville, NYAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyOSF HealthCareUT Medical Group, Inc.
Best paying industry--

Differences between cytotechnologist and pathologist education

There are a few differences between a cytotechnologist and a pathologist in terms of educational background:

CytotechnologistPathologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorClinical/Medical Laboratory SciencePhysiology And Anatomy
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillStanford University

Cytotechnologist vs pathologist demographics

Here are the differences between cytotechnologists' and pathologists' demographics:

CytotechnologistPathologist
Average age4448
Gender ratioMale, 28.7% Female, 71.3%Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 20.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%13%

Differences between cytotechnologist and pathologist 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
  • Show more

Pathologist example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage pathology, microbiology and biochemistry laboratory.
  • Provide consultations to care providers and interpret laboratory findings and diagnosis to patients.
  • Screen by ELISA & immunoblots.
  • Result in answering an FDA concern regarding device.
  • Participate in FDA submissions, plan 510k and PMA submissions.
  • Perform oncology markers and hormonal assays by Elisa and Delfia system.
  • Show more

Cytotechnologist vs pathologist skills

Common cytotechnologist skills
  • ASCP, 18%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Proficiency Testing, 5%
  • Test Results, 5%
  • CLIA, 5%
  • Clinical Laboratory, 4%
Common pathologist skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • Patient Care, 11%
  • Diagnosis, 8%
  • GI, 4%
  • GYN, 4%
  • Frozen Sections, 3%

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