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The differences between laboratory technicians and medical technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a laboratory technician, becoming a medical technologist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a medical technologist has an average salary of $53,249, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a laboratory technician include patients, lab equipment and customer service. The most important skills for a medical technologist are patients, clinical laboratory, and ASCP.
| Laboratory Technician | Medical Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $40,038 | $53,249 |
| Hourly rate | $19.25 | $25.60 |
| Growth rate | 4% | - |
| Number of jobs | 84,357 | 116,495 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
A medical technologist's role is to conduct laboratory tests with accuracy and speed. It is their responsibility to gather, prepare, and analyze samples such as blood, tissues, and bodily fluid. The produced results will be crucial to a patient's diagnosis and further treatments. It is also essential for medical technologists to keep a precise record of data and coordinate with fellow team members and physicians to ensure the fast and efficient delivery of results. Furthermore, a medical technologist can choose to work in different establishments such as a hospital, laboratory, or private clinic.
Laboratory technicians and medical technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Laboratory Technician | Medical Technologist | |
| Average salary | $40,038 | $53,249 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $58,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Tenaska | Children's Hospital Colorado |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a laboratory technician and a medical technologist in terms of educational background:
| Laboratory Technician | Medical Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | New York University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between laboratory technicians' and medical technologists' demographics:
| Laboratory Technician | Medical Technologist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% | Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |