Post job

Laboratory coordinator vs clinical laboratory scientist

The differences between laboratory coordinators and clinical laboratory scientists 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 coordinator and a clinical laboratory scientist. Additionally, a clinical laboratory scientist has an average salary of $67,900, which is higher than the $52,690 average annual salary of a laboratory coordinator.

The top three skills for a laboratory coordinator include lab equipment, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory scientist are patients, test results, and microbiology.

Laboratory coordinator vs clinical laboratory scientist overview

Laboratory CoordinatorClinical Laboratory Scientist
Yearly salary$52,690$67,900
Hourly rate$25.33$32.64
Growth rate3%17%
Number of jobs64,914133,838
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age4444
Years of experience22

What does a laboratory coordinator do?

A laboratory coordinator is responsible for supporting laboratory examinations and experiments, collecting laboratory samples, and ensuring the efficiency and performance of laboratory tools and equipment. Laboratory coordinators maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the laboratory facility at all times to avoid contaminations and hazards that may affect laboratory results and accuracy of examinations. They also perform scientific processes under the supervision of a scientist or laboratory technicians and keep an organized report of findings in the database.

What does a clinical laboratory scientist do?

A Clinical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for performing laboratory tests that doctors count on to correctly diagnose and treat patients. They examine body fluids, tissues, and cells, identify infective microorganisms, and analyze the chemical constituents of body fluids.

Laboratory coordinator vs clinical laboratory scientist salary

Laboratory coordinators and clinical laboratory scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Laboratory CoordinatorClinical Laboratory Scientist
Average salary$52,690$67,900
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $72,000Between $46,000 And $99,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyAbbVieWestpac
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between laboratory coordinator and clinical laboratory scientist education

There are a few differences between a laboratory coordinator and a clinical laboratory scientist in terms of educational background:

Laboratory CoordinatorClinical Laboratory Scientist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorBiologyMedical Technician
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Laboratory coordinator vs clinical laboratory scientist demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory coordinators' and clinical laboratory scientists' demographics:

Laboratory CoordinatorClinical Laboratory Scientist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 41.5% Female, 58.5%Male, 34.8% Female, 65.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 15.4% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between laboratory coordinator and clinical laboratory scientist duties and responsibilities

Laboratory coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Lead a team to decide on an optimal LIS.
  • Manage curriculum development, authore and publish lab manuals in physiology and ecology.
  • Prepare and audit patient charts according to HIPAA compliance.
  • Reject patient specimen samples that do not meet CLIA requirements.
  • Maintain records and training for all CLIA waive testing for all practice employees.
  • Follow EPA and OSHA mandates to ensure the proper and safe disposal of hazardous samples and waste.
  • Show more

Clinical laboratory scientist example responsibilities.

  • Analyze specimens in hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, chemistry, toxicology, blood bank, and limit microbiology and serology.
  • Perform testing on donor and patient samples on platforms using methodologies including EIA, CLIA, and NAT (PCR).
  • Perform patient blood analysis, interpret serology, immunology and flowcytometry results.
  • Provide phlebotomy, specimen processing and laboratory testing for clinical trial studies.
  • Analyze specimens in areas of hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, and clinical chemistry within time constraints in a high-volume environment.
  • Perform microbiology, mycology and bacteriology
  • Show more

Laboratory coordinator vs clinical laboratory scientist skills

Common laboratory coordinator skills
  • Lab Equipment, 15%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Chemistry, 6%
  • Laboratory Safety, 3%
  • CLIA, 3%
Common clinical laboratory scientist skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Test Results, 8%
  • Microbiology, 7%
  • CLS, 7%
  • Hematology, 6%
  • ASCP, 6%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs