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The differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and laboratory specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist, becoming a laboratory specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laboratory specialist has an average salary of $50,357, 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 laboratory specialist are chemistry, patients, and test results.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Laboratory Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $34,553 | $50,357 |
| Hourly rate | $16.61 | $24.21 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 74,428 | 68,634 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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 laboratory specialist develops the areas assigned to them and promotes maximum resource allocation and utilization to achieve their goals. Laboratory specialists handle storage and backup devices, support telecommunication-associated equipment, and relay customer requests and issues. It is their job to process specimens in toxicology, coagulation, microbiology, hematology, chemistry, and urinalysis. Skills and knowledge in a photo lab, cell culture, customer service, and test cases are necessary for this position.
Laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and laboratory specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Laboratory Specialist | |
| Average salary | $34,553 | $50,357 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Nokia |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist and a laboratory specialist in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Laboratory Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | SUNY Stony Brook |
Here are the differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' and laboratory specialists' demographics:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Laboratory Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% | Male, 47.3% Female, 52.7% |
| 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, 10.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |