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The differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists 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 laboratory assistant/phlebotomist and an assistant laboratory technician. Additionally, an assistant laboratory technician has an average salary of $35,556, which is higher than the $34,553 average annual salary of a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist include patients, blood specimens and customer service. The most important skills for an assistant laboratory technician are patients, ladders, and computer lab.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $34,553 | $35,556 |
| Hourly rate | $16.61 | $17.09 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 74,428 | 116,488 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
The primary responsibility of a lab assistant is to help scientists and technologists. Lab assistants are assigned to prepare and monitor tests and experiments in research or medical laboratory. They analyze data and establish reports based on test results. Also, they set up the tools and equipment used in the lab. It is also part of their job to clean the lab rooms--knowledge in lab management, communication skills, attention to detail, and medical-related management.
Laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and assistant laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $34,553 | $35,556 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $21,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Manchester, NH |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Patterson-UTI Energy |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist and an assistant laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | University of Maryland - College Park |
Here are the differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' and assistant laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 8% | 8% |