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The differences between laboratory phlebotomists and medical 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 phlebotomist, becoming a medical laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical laboratory technician has an average salary of $51,780, which is higher than the $33,951 average annual salary of a laboratory phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a laboratory phlebotomist include patients, customer service and specimen collection. The most important skills for a medical laboratory technician are medical laboratory, patients, and ASCP.
| Laboratory Phlebotomist | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $33,951 | $51,780 |
| Hourly rate | $16.32 | $24.89 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 48,645 | 88,721 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 25% | Associate Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A laboratory phlebotomist is primarily in charge of drawing and processing blood samples from patients and clients for laboratory analysis. They must also perform clerical tasks such as maintaining records of all procedures and results, producing laboratory reports, responding to inquiries, answering calls and correspondence, and liaising with external parties such as vendors and suppliers. Furthermore, as a laboratory phlebotomist, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with laboratory and hospital staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
A medical laboratory technician is responsible for assisting medical health professionals in conducting laboratory tests to diagnose patients' conditions and provide treatments. Medical laboratory technicians ensure the sanitation of all the tools and equipment before conducting tests. They collect adequate blood samples and specimens, analyze fluid elements, utilize laboratory equipment safely, create reports of findings, and alert medical personnel and medical technologists of emergency conditions. A medical laboratory technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry disciplines and processes to perform sensitive tasks and release accurate medical results.
Laboratory phlebotomists and medical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Phlebotomist | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $33,951 | $51,780 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $45,000 | Between $37,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory phlebotomist and a medical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Phlebotomist | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 25% | Associate Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science |
| Most common college | - | University of Maryland - College Park |
Here are the differences between laboratory phlebotomists' and medical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Phlebotomist | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 20.2% Female, 79.8% | Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 9.6% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |