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The differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and 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 a laboratory technician. Additionally, a laboratory technician has an average salary of $40,038, 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 technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $34,553 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $16.61 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 74,428 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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.
Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
Laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $34,553 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | New York University |
Here are the differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |