Laboratory clerk vs medical clerk

The differences between laboratory clerks and medical 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 medical clerk. Additionally, a medical clerk has an average salary of $32,439, 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 medical clerk are patients, medical terminology, and data entry.

Laboratory clerk vs medical clerk overview

	Laboratory Clerk	Medical Clerk
Yearly salary	$32,182	$32,439
Hourly rate	$15.47	$15.60
Growth rate	-5%	-8%
Number of jobs	105,165	166,322
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Average age	47	49
Years of experience	2	2

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 medical clerk do?

A medical clerk works in the administrative area of a medical facility or hospital. The medical clerk collects all patient information and medical records. The clerk also does all the clinic or hospital paperwork and generates reports of all transactions that transpired in a day's work. The medical clerk also processes admission and discharge papers, medical charts, properly file and safeguard all patient records and secure them from unauthorized access. The medical clerk is expected to be highly organized, capable of handling pressure, and has good communication skills.

Laboratory clerk vs medical clerk salary

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

	Laboratory Clerk	Medical Clerk
Average salary	$32,182	$32,439
Salary range	Between $15,000 And $65,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Minnesota
Best paying company	-	Brinks Gilson
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between laboratory clerk and medical clerk education

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

	Laboratory Clerk	Medical Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	-

Laboratory clerk vs medical clerk demographics

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

	Laboratory Clerk	Medical Clerk
Average age	47	49
Gender ratio	Male, 18.6% Female, 81.4%	Male, 15.5% Female, 84.5%
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, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	6%	9%

Differences between laboratory clerk and medical clerk 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.

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Medical clerk example responsibilities.

Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
Follow HIPPA patient confidentiality guidelines making patients or facility have filled proper forms to release records.
File results of laboratory tests, x-rays, EKG's, etc., in patients records.
Respond and resolve patient inquiries with compassion and patience.
Prepare request for EKG tests, eye examinations, audio and dental records.
Enter deficiencies into MediTech program.

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Laboratory clerk vs medical clerk skills

Common laboratory clerk skills

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

Common medical clerk skills

Patients, 32%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Data Entry, 6%
Phone Calls, 5%
Patient Care, 4%
Telephone Calls, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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