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The differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and clinical 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 a clinical technician. Additionally, a clinical technician has an average salary of $35,760, 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 a clinical technician are patients, vital signs, and phlebotomy.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Clinical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $34,553 | $35,760 |
| Hourly rate | $16.61 | $17.19 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 74,428 | 161,812 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| 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.
A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations. They also maintain medical charts, update patients' information on the database, and administer patients' medication. A clinical technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as strictly following internal guidelines and safety procedures during operations.
Laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and clinical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Clinical Technician | |
| Average salary | $34,553 | $35,760 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $26,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Brigham and Women's Hospital |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist and a clinical technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Clinical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' and clinical technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Clinical Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% | Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |