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The differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and phlebotomists 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 phlebotomist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist has an average salary of $34,553, which is higher than the $33,713 average annual salary of a phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist include patients, blood specimens and customer service. The most important skills for a phlebotomist are patients, customer service, and blood samples.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Phlebotomist | |
| Yearly salary | $34,553 | $33,713 |
| Hourly rate | $16.61 | $16.21 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 74,428 | 11,707 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 22% |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| 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.
Phlebotomists are workers in the medical field who specialize in drawing blood from patients. They ensure that patients are prepared by explaining the procedure to them, showing them tools they will use and where their blood will be stored, and answering any questions the patients may have. Phlebotomists then draw blood from the patient, patch up the area where the blood was drawn, and store the blood samples in properly labeled vials or blood bags. After the procedure, they send the blood samples to the laboratory for testing, transfusion, or any other use that there may be.
Laboratory assistant/phlebotomists and phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Phlebotomist | |
| Average salary | $34,553 | $33,713 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $43,000 | Between $26,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist and a phlebotomist in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Phlebotomist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 23% | Associate Degree, 22% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | - |
Here are the differences between laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' and phlebotomists' demographics:
| Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | Phlebotomist | |
| Average age | 44 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% | Male, 16.7% Female, 83.3% |
| 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, 9.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |