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The differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and medical laboratory assistants 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 medical laboratory assistant. Additionally, a medical laboratory assistant has an average salary of $34,673, 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 medical laboratory assistant are patients, customer service, and data entry.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Medical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $34,553 | $34,673 |
| Hourly rate | $16.61 | $16.67 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 74,428 | 124,322 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 27% |
| Average age | 44 | 37 |
| 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 medical laboratory assistant is in charge of performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a more experienced medical technician or scientist. Their responsibilities typically revolve around collecting samples such as blood and tissues, preparing slides, running tests using machines and equipment, and maintaining records of all procedures and results. Furthermore, a medical laboratory assistant must also keep the cleanliness of the laboratory, organize and monitor inventories, procure supplies, and implement the laboratory's policies and regulations.
Laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and medical laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Medical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $34,553 | $34,673 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Eugene, OR |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist and a medical laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Medical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 27% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | - |
Here are the differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' and medical laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Medical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% | Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 51.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |