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The differences between laboratory aides and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a laboratory aide and a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist. Additionally, a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist has an average salary of $34,553, which is higher than the $28,083 average annual salary of a laboratory aide.
The top three skills for a laboratory aide include patients, specimen handling and lab equipment. The most important skills for a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist are patients, blood specimens, and customer service.
| Laboratory Aide | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Yearly salary | $28,083 | $34,553 |
| Hourly rate | $13.50 | $16.61 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 89,595 | 74,428 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A laboratory aide is primarily responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and order in laboratories, all while performing support tasks for scientists. Their duties revolve around arranging specimens and samples, transporting materials from one laboratory to another, preparing apparatuses and machines, and storing them accordingly. A laboratory aide may also run errands, produce progress reports, sanitize areas and instruments, and properly dispose of chemicals and other hazardous waste. Furthermore, it is crucial to implement the laboratory's safety policies and regulations, ensuring a safe and healthy laboratory environment for everyone.
A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.
Laboratory aides and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Aide | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Average salary | $28,083 | $34,553 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $38,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Illumina | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a laboratory aide and a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Aide | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between laboratory aides' and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:
| Laboratory Aide | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.1% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |