Laboratory supervisor vs clinical laboratory technician

The differences between laboratory supervisors and clinical laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a laboratory supervisor and a clinical laboratory technician. Additionally, a laboratory supervisor has an average salary of $67,361, which is higher than the $50,756 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a laboratory supervisor include clinical laboratory, patients and chemistry. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.

Laboratory supervisor vs clinical laboratory technician overview

	Laboratory Supervisor	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$67,361	$50,756
Hourly rate	$32.39	$24.40
Growth rate	3%	-
Number of jobs	49,957	119,050
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	12	12

What does a laboratory supervisor do?

The primary job of laboratory supervisors is to oversee the daily operations of laboratories. They are responsible for facilitating the collection, analysis, and interpretation of laboratory results. Other responsibilities include supervising personnel, managing the operating budget of the laboratory, and hiring employees. Laboratory supervisors are responsible for overseeing quality assurance and enforcing practices to ensure quality control within the laboratory. Aside from these tasks, they also manage the acquisition of laboratory equipment and supplies and resolve any technical or administrative issues within the laboratory.

What does a clinical laboratory technician do?

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 supervisor vs clinical laboratory technician salary

Laboratory supervisors and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Laboratory Supervisor	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$67,361	$50,756
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $96,000	Between $36,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Stockton, CA
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Chevron	Claxton Hepburn
Best paying industry	Health Care	Media

Differences between laboratory supervisor and clinical laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a laboratory supervisor and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

	Laboratory Supervisor	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	Northwestern University	New York University

Laboratory supervisor vs clinical laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between laboratory supervisors' and clinical laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Laboratory Supervisor	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 52.7% Female, 47.3%	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.0% White, 53.9% 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%

Differences between laboratory supervisor and clinical laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Laboratory supervisor example responsibilities.

Manage personnel within the team, and provide guidance relating to laboratory EMR to performance improvement projects
Handle administrative and IRB tasks, manage fiscal matters, maintain record system of participant data.
Manage all static data, generate reports, run queries and support laboratories with technical knowledge and advice.
Manage pneumatic resistance rehabilitation lab.
Manage and maintain various automate laboratory equipment though GMP safe practices.
Assist with implementation of new procedures as laboratory works to achieving ISO certification.

Clinical laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Provide oversight of training and competency testing of technicians to ensure compliance with CLIA, HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
Collect, process, and analyze clinical specimens for several departments including microbiology, chemistry, hematology, and urinalysis
Experience working in a hospital laboratory in automate chemistry, hematology, blood bank, urinalysis, and immunology departments.
Dispose of biohazard wastes according to OSHA standards ..
Screen blood products for pathogens and co-treatment success.

Laboratory supervisor vs clinical laboratory technician skills

Common laboratory supervisor skills

Clinical Laboratory, 11%
Patients, 10%
Chemistry, 6%
Patient Care, 5%
Lab Equipment, 5%
Test Results, 5%

Common clinical laboratory technician skills

Patients, 16%
Test Results, 7%
Patient Care, 6%
Hematology, 5%
Body Fluids, 4%
Proficiency Testing, 4%

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Laboratory Supervisor
Laboratory Supervisor vs Clinical Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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