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Histopathology technician vs assistant laboratory technician

The differences between histopathology technicians and assistant 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 histopathology technician and an assistant laboratory technician. Additionally, a histopathology technician has an average salary of $59,825, which is higher than the $35,556 average annual salary of an assistant laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a histopathology technician include laboratory equipment, laboratory results and anatomic pathology. The most important skills for an assistant laboratory technician are patients, ladders, and computer lab.

Histopathology technician vs assistant laboratory technician overview

Histopathology TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary$59,825$35,556
Hourly rate$28.76$17.09
Growth rate17%1%
Number of jobs18,825116,488
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

Histopathology technician vs assistant laboratory technician salary

Histopathology technicians and assistant laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Histopathology TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Average salary$59,825$35,556
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $99,000Between $21,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CityLebanon, PAManchester, NH
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyZoetisPatterson-UTI Energy
Best paying industry--

Differences between histopathology technician and assistant laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a histopathology technician and an assistant laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

Histopathology TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeNew York UniversityUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Histopathology technician vs assistant laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between histopathology technicians' and assistant laboratory technicians' demographics:

Histopathology TechnicianAssistant Laboratory Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 41.9% Female, 58.1%Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between histopathology technician and assistant laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Histopathology technician example responsibilities.

  • Recognize & investigate instrument malfunctions, perform calibrations, manage QC, and maintain comprehensive written records of tests & procedures.
  • Validate and optimize antibody for clinical immunohistochemistry assay.
  • Prepare cell block from urine, bronchial brushing, washing, FNA slide preparation.
  • Validate and optimize antibody for clinical immunohistochemistry assay.

Assistant laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
  • Work with non-gynecological specimens including thin prep, cytospins or formalin and cellient cell blocks.
  • Work in cytology lab performing prep duties of surgical fluids, FNA aspirates and pap smears.
  • Verify test requirements utilizing LIS.
  • Obtain insurance authorization and provide patients resources regarding insurance coverage and financial responsibilities.
  • Collect, identify, categorize, and analyze bodily fluids relate to non-gynecological cytology.
  • Show more

Histopathology technician vs assistant laboratory technician skills

Common histopathology technician skills
  • Laboratory Equipment, 15%
  • Laboratory Results, 12%
  • Anatomic Pathology, 11%
  • Troubleshoot, 8%
  • Sectioning, 6%
  • Tissue Samples, 6%
Common assistant laboratory technician skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Computer Lab, 8%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • EKG, 6%
  • CPR, 5%

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