Laboratory clerk vs laboratory technician

The differences between laboratory clerks and laboratory technicians 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 technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory technician has an average salary of $40,038, 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 technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.

Laboratory clerk vs laboratory technician overview

	Laboratory Clerk	Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$32,182	$40,038
Hourly rate	$15.47	$19.25
Growth rate	-5%	4%
Number of jobs	105,165	84,357
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
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 technician do?

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 clerk vs laboratory technician salary

Laboratory clerks and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laboratory Clerk	Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$32,182	$40,038
Salary range	Between $15,000 And $65,000	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

Differences between laboratory clerk and laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a laboratory clerk and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

	Laboratory Clerk	Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	New York University

Laboratory clerk vs laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory clerks' and laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Laboratory Clerk	Laboratory Technician
Average age	47	44
Gender ratio	Male, 18.6% Female, 81.4%	Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7%
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, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	6%	8%

Differences between laboratory clerk and laboratory technician 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 technician example responsibilities.

Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Analyze and paid attention to detail as well as demonstrated excellent organization skills, manual dexterity and good eyesight.
Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate with EKG equipment and notify physician is something appears to be wrong.
Monitor several color formulations being manufacture in the production department to ensure manufacturing procedures are follow per ISO and GMP.
Perform age appropriate phlebotomy while working with critically or terminally ill patients, with careful respect for individual and/or cultural concerns.

Laboratory clerk vs laboratory technician skills

Common laboratory clerk skills

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

Common laboratory technician skills

Patients, 17%
Lab Equipment, 8%
Customer Service, 6%
Basic Math, 4%
Test Results, 4%
Math, 4%

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Laboratory Clerk vs Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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