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The differences between laboratory assistants 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 laboratory assistant and a clinical laboratory technician. Additionally, a clinical laboratory technician has an average salary of $50,756, which is higher than the $34,168 average annual salary of a laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a laboratory assistant include patients, phlebotomy and customer service. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.
| Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $34,168 | $50,756 |
| Hourly rate | $16.43 | $24.40 |
| Growth rate | 9% | - |
| Number of jobs | 50,853 | 119,050 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Laboratory assistants work for researchers, scientists, or professors in the laboratory setting. They are expected to have a solid background in the field of study of the laboratory they are assigned to. They do a variety of tasks in the laboratory, such as setting up equipment, observing experiments, analyzing results, creating reports, and recommending improvements to the testing. They may also be assigned to clean and sanitize laboratory equipment as needed. Laboratory assistants should have good research skills, analytical skills, and organizational skills.
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.
Laboratory assistants and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $34,168 | $50,756 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $44,000 | Between $36,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | UST Global | Claxton Hepburn |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Media |
There are a few differences between a laboratory assistant and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between laboratory assistants' and clinical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 13.9% White, 53.5% 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% |