Laboratory clerk vs support clerk

The differences between laboratory clerks and support 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 support clerk. Additionally, a support clerk has an average salary of $35,159, 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 support clerk are customer service, data entry, and patients.

Laboratory clerk vs support clerk overview

	Laboratory Clerk	Support Clerk
Yearly salary	$32,182	$35,159
Hourly rate	$15.47	$16.90
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	105,165	163,168
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	47	47
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 support clerk do?

A support clerk is primarily in charge of performing administrative support tasks in an office, making the daily workflow easier. Their responsibilities typically include preparing and processing documentation, answering and forwarding calls, handling correspondence, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also update databases, maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a support clerk, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating to ensure efficient and smooth workplace operations.

Laboratory clerk vs support clerk salary

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

	Laboratory Clerk	Support Clerk
Average salary	$32,182	$35,159
Salary range	Between $15,000 And $65,000	Between $22,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	-	San Diego, CA
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between laboratory clerk and support clerk education

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

	Laboratory Clerk	Support Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 34%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Laboratory clerk vs support clerk demographics

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

	Laboratory Clerk	Support Clerk
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 18.6% Female, 81.4%	Male, 26.1% Female, 73.9%
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, 10.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 8.4% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between laboratory clerk and support 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.

Show more

Support clerk example responsibilities.

Demonstrate strong math skills in managing inmate s accounts and calmly and effectively deescalating outbursts of belligerent inmates.
Inform eligible or potentially eligible individuals with Medicaid cover service and how to use them.
Assist in development and creation of provider workshop materials to include manuals, PowerPoint presentations, and registration materials.
Organize and locate inventory and update companies QuickBooks.
Prepare subpoenas for document production, deposition and trial appearance/testimony.
Record results in database from medical questionnaires complete by individuals presenting Medicaid claims.

Show more

Laboratory clerk vs support clerk skills

Common laboratory clerk skills

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

Common support clerk skills

Customer Service, 19%
Data Entry, 15%
Patients, 10%
Clerical Support, 6%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Office Equipment, 5%

Laboratory Clerk vs. similar jobs

Laboratory Clerk related careers

Laboratory Clerk related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z