Laboratory clerk vs laboratory assistant/phlebotomist

The differences between laboratory clerks and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a laboratory clerk, becoming a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist has an average salary of $34,553, which is higher than the $32,182 average annual salary of a laboratory clerk.

The top three skills for a laboratory clerk include patients, phlebotomy and lab specimens. The most important skills for a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist are patients, blood specimens, and customer service.

Laboratory clerk vs laboratory assistant/phlebotomist overview

	Laboratory Clerk	Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist
Yearly salary	$32,182	$34,553
Hourly rate	$15.47	$16.61
Growth rate	-5%	10%
Number of jobs	105,165	74,428
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Associate Degree, 23%
Average age	47	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a laboratory clerk do?

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.

What does a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist do?

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 clerk vs laboratory assistant/phlebotomist salary

Laboratory clerks and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laboratory Clerk	Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average salary	$32,182	$34,553
Salary range	Between $15,000 And $65,000	Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between laboratory clerk and laboratory assistant/phlebotomist education

There are a few differences between a laboratory clerk and a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:

	Laboratory Clerk	Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Associate Degree, 23%
Most common major	Business	Medical Assisting Services
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Connecticut

Laboratory clerk vs laboratory assistant/phlebotomist demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory clerks' and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:

	Laboratory Clerk	Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average age	47	44
Gender ratio	Male, 18.6% Female, 81.4%	Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	6%	8%

Differences between laboratory clerk and laboratory assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Laboratory clerk example responsibilities.

Demonstrate strong math skills in managing inmate s accounts and calmly and effectively deescalating outbursts of belligerent inmates.
Train and follow strict HIPAA laws for protection of patient privacy.
Ensure patient safeguard, protection and comply to all company policies, procedures and HIPAA regulations
Process and organize patients' medical lab records and maintain records accuracy.
Confer with patients to obtain information for laboratory records, explain testing and addressed patient concerns.
Perform immunological, chemical, microbiological, and hematological tests, critically examine results for accuracy, troubleshoot discrepancies.

Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist example responsibilities.

Order doctor prescribe lab tests, perform EKG's, answer phone calls, and order inventory.
Respond to stat collection assignments within fifteen minutes and in accordance with protocol.
Work effectively in a fast pace setting and prioritize duties for routine and stat testing.
Receive and acquire patient's body fluids, prepare and process EKG's on adult and children.
Collect specimens and set-up blood cultures and other microbiology cultures.
Deliver critical patient results as needed and maintain positive relationships with participating physicians and their patients.

Laboratory clerk vs laboratory assistant/phlebotomist skills

Common laboratory clerk skills

Patients, 32%
Phlebotomy, 10%
Lab Specimens, 6%
Computer System, 4%
Computer Data Entry, 4%
Medical Terminology, 4%

Common laboratory assistant/phlebotomist skills

Patients, 18%
Blood Specimens, 13%
Customer Service, 5%
Phlebotomy Procedures, 5%
Specimen Collection, 4%
Patient Care, 3%

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Laboratory Clerk vs Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist

Updated January 8, 2025

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