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The differences between laboratory support technicians and clinical 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 support technician and a clinical technician. Additionally, a laboratory support technician has an average salary of $36,799, which is higher than the $35,760 average annual salary of a clinical technician.
The top three skills for a laboratory support technician include patients, phlebotomy and customer service. The most important skills for a clinical technician are patients, vital signs, and phlebotomy.
| Laboratory Support Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $36,799 | $35,760 |
| Hourly rate | $17.69 | $17.19 |
| Growth rate | - | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 131,128 | 161,812 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| 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 technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations. They also maintain medical charts, update patients' information on the database, and administer patients' medication. A clinical technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as strictly following internal guidelines and safety procedures during operations.
Laboratory support technicians and clinical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Support Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Average salary | $36,799 | $35,760 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $50,000 | Between $26,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Thousand Oaks, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Sandia National Labs | Brigham and Women's Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a laboratory support technician and a clinical technician in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Support Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Biology | Nursing |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between laboratory support technicians' and clinical technicians' demographics:
| Laboratory Support Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.4% Female, 54.6% | Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |