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The differences between laboratory support technicians and clinical laboratory assistants 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 support technician and a clinical laboratory assistant. Additionally, a laboratory support technician has an average salary of $36,799, which is higher than the $32,679 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a laboratory support technician include patients, phlebotomy and customer service. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory assistant are patients, phlebotomy, and clinical lab.
| Laboratory Support Technician | Clinical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $36,799 | $32,679 |
| Hourly rate | $17.69 | $15.71 |
| Growth rate | - | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 131,128 | 108,124 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A laboratory support technician is responsible for assisting scientists and medical professionals in conducting experiments and laboratory examinations. Laboratory support technicians organize samples, label them accurately, and record the results timely on the system. They also ensure that all the laboratory tools and equipment are sterilized and well-maintained, avoiding possible contaminations that may affect the accuracy of deliverables. A laboratory support technician coordinates with the patients for appointments, releasing of medical results, and applying scientific methods on evaluating data. They may also perform administrative and clerical duties as needed under the supervision of a head laboratory technician.
A clinical laboratory assistant specializes in performing support tasks in a laboratory or similar setting using their in-depth knowledge. They are primarily responsible for assisting researchers, preparing samples and apparatus, conducting experiments and analysis, maintaining extensive documentation of all processes and results, and reporting to management. Moreover, a clinical laboratory assistant is also responsible for gathering necessary information before beginning studies and maintaining the laboratory's cleanliness and sanitation. It is vital to implement all the safety rules and regulations to ensure a safe and productive work environment.
Laboratory support technicians and clinical laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Support Technician | Clinical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $36,799 | $32,679 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $50,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Thousand Oaks, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Sandia National Labs | Roswell Park |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a laboratory support technician and a clinical laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Support Technician | Clinical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between laboratory support technicians' and clinical laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Laboratory Support Technician | Clinical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.4% Female, 54.6% | Male, 25.4% Female, 74.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 10.9% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.1% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |