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The differences between laboratory coordinators and clinical 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 coordinator, becoming a clinical laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory coordinator has an average salary of $52,690, which is higher than the $50,756 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a laboratory coordinator include lab equipment, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.
| Laboratory Coordinator | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $52,690 | $50,756 |
| Hourly rate | $25.33 | $24.40 |
| Growth rate | 3% | - |
| Number of jobs | 64,914 | 119,050 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
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.
A clinical laboratory technician typically works under the direction of a physician or medical technologist to perform tests that will aid in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions and illnesses. You will perform various duties, including preparing samples for analysis, monitoring tests and procedures, and matching blood for transfusion. Additionally, you are expected to participate in staff training and educational opportunities and contribute to a secure and safe environment for patients, physicians, co-workers, and visitors. This role will also require ensuring that laboratory information remains confidential.
Laboratory coordinators and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Coordinator | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $52,690 | $50,756 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $72,000 | Between $36,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | AbbVie | Claxton Hepburn |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Media |
There are a few differences between a laboratory coordinator and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Coordinator | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | New York University |
Here are the differences between laboratory coordinators' and clinical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Coordinator | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.5% Female, 58.5% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.9% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |