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The differences between laboratory coordinators and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists 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 laboratory assistant/phlebotomist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory coordinator has an average salary of $52,690, which is higher than the $34,553 average annual salary of a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a laboratory coordinator include lab equipment, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist are patients, blood specimens, and customer service.
| Laboratory Coordinator | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Yearly salary | $52,690 | $34,553 |
| Hourly rate | $25.33 | $16.61 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 64,914 | 74,428 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| 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 laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.
Laboratory coordinators and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Coordinator | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Average salary | $52,690 | $34,553 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $72,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | - |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | - |
| Best paying company | AbbVie | - |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | - |
There are a few differences between a laboratory coordinator and a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Coordinator | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between laboratory coordinators' and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:
| Laboratory Coordinator | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.5% Female, 58.5% | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% |
| 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, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |