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The differences between laboratory clerks and data clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a laboratory clerk and a data clerk. Additionally, a laboratory clerk has an average salary of $32,182, which is higher than the $31,550 average annual salary of a data clerk.
The top three skills for a laboratory clerk include patients, phlebotomy and lab specimens. The most important skills for a data clerk are database systems, computer entry, and office equipment.
| Laboratory Clerk | Data Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $32,182 | $31,550 |
| Hourly rate | $15.47 | $15.17 |
| Growth rate | -5% | -5% |
| Number of jobs | 105,165 | 147,935 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A laboratory clerk is responsible for a variety of tasks needed to process, report, and deliver laboratory tests and results. These include coordinating patient specimen collection, managing requests for laboratory tests, and adhering to laboratory safety rules and standards. As a laboratory clerk, you will be responsible for storing and retrieving copies of lab test reports. You must inform the lab supervisor about malfunctioning office equipment. In addition, you are also responsible for preparing and sending laboratory reports to physicians.
A data clerk is responsible for performing administrative support tasks, mainly focusing on data-entry. Their responsibilities typically include updating databases, maintaining records on spreadsheets and other documents, preparing and processing files, creating and organizing reports, coordinating with different departments to gather or disseminate data, and performing research and analysis. They may also handle calls and correspondence, monitor schedules and office supply inventory, and complete support tasks for staff as necessary. Furthermore, as a data clerk, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with teams and adhere to the company's data security policies and regulations.
Laboratory clerks and data clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Clerk | Data Clerk | |
| Average salary | $32,182 | $31,550 |
| Salary range | Between $15,000 And $65,000 | Between $25,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Nevada |
| Best paying company | - | Armstrong Flooring |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a laboratory clerk and a data clerk in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Clerk | Data Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between laboratory clerks' and data clerks' demographics:
| Laboratory Clerk | Data Clerk | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 18.6% Female, 81.4% | Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 7.2% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.9% Asian, 7.6% White, 52.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |