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The differences between medical laboratory assistants 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 medical laboratory assistant and a clinical laboratory technician. Additionally, a clinical laboratory technician has an average salary of $50,756, which is higher than the $34,673 average annual salary of a medical laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a medical laboratory assistant include patients, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.
| Medical Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $34,673 | $50,756 |
| Hourly rate | $16.67 | $24.40 |
| Growth rate | 16% | - |
| Number of jobs | 124,322 | 119,050 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 27% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A medical laboratory assistant is in charge of performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a more experienced medical technician or scientist. Their responsibilities typically revolve around collecting samples such as blood and tissues, preparing slides, running tests using machines and equipment, and maintaining records of all procedures and results. Furthermore, a medical laboratory assistant must also keep the cleanliness of the laboratory, organize and monitor inventories, procure supplies, and implement the laboratory's policies and regulations.
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.
Medical laboratory assistants and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $34,673 | $50,756 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $42,000 | Between $36,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Eugene, OR | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Claxton Hepburn |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Media |
There are a few differences between a medical laboratory assistant and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Medical Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 27% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Biology |
| Most common college | - | New York University |
Here are the differences between medical laboratory assistants' and clinical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Medical Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 51.8% 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 | 6% | 8% |