Medical laboratory scientist vs laboratory assistant/phlebotomist

The differences between medical laboratory scientists and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a medical laboratory scientist, becoming a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical laboratory scientist has an average salary of $54,377, which is higher than the $34,553 average annual salary of a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist.

The top three skills for a medical laboratory scientist include patients, ASCP and clinical laboratory. The most important skills for a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist are patients, blood specimens, and customer service.

Medical laboratory scientist vs laboratory assistant/phlebotomist overview

	Medical Laboratory Scientist	Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist
Yearly salary	$54,377	$34,553
Hourly rate	$26.14	$16.61
Growth rate	-	10%
Number of jobs	121,913	74,428
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Associate Degree, 23%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a medical laboratory scientist do?

As a medical laboratory scientist, you will be responsible for analyzing various types of body specimens, including blood, tissue, and urine. You will conduct scientific testing on samples and report the results to physicians. These results play an essential role in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions or illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. Your duties and responsibilities may include maintaining laboratory equipment such as microscopes and cell counters, tracking patient outcomes, and conducting differential cell counts. You are also expected to oversee the work of laboratory technicians.

What does a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist do?

A laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.

Medical laboratory scientist vs laboratory assistant/phlebotomist salary

Medical laboratory scientists and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Laboratory Scientist	Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average salary	$54,377	$34,553
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $71,000	Between $27,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Reno, NV	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Eli Lilly and Company	-
Best paying industry	Health Care	-

Differences between medical laboratory scientist and laboratory assistant/phlebotomist education

There are a few differences between a medical laboratory scientist and a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:

	Medical Laboratory Scientist	Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Associate Degree, 23%
Most common major	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science	Medical Assisting Services
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Connecticut

Medical laboratory scientist vs laboratory assistant/phlebotomist demographics

Here are the differences between medical laboratory scientists' and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:

	Medical Laboratory Scientist	Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%	Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 12.7% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between medical laboratory scientist and laboratory assistant/phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

Medical laboratory scientist example responsibilities.

Attain extensive phlebotomy experience with a challenging pediatric patient population.
Perform complex laboratory diagnostic tests as medical laboratory scientist in hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis and blood bank.
Evaluate quality control within the laboratory using standard laboratory test and measurement controls while maintaining compliance with CLIA and OSHA.
Execute and analyze test in areas including, hematology, urinalysis, serology, bacteriology, chemistry and transfusion services.
Assist in Cerner LIS system implementation and resource as super user.
Experience in immunology, infectious disease testing, and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Laboratory assistant/phlebotomist example responsibilities.

Order doctor prescribe lab tests, perform EKG's, answer phone calls, and order inventory.
Respond to stat collection assignments within fifteen minutes and in accordance with protocol.
Work effectively in a fast pace setting and prioritize duties for routine and stat testing.
Receive and acquire patient's body fluids, prepare and process EKG's on adult and children.
Collect specimens and set-up blood cultures and other microbiology cultures.
Deliver critical patient results as needed and maintain positive relationships with participating physicians and their patients.

Medical laboratory scientist vs laboratory assistant/phlebotomist skills

Common medical laboratory scientist skills

Patients, 13%
ASCP, 11%
Clinical Laboratory, 10%
MLS, 8%
Proficiency Testing, 5%
Patient Care, 4%

Common laboratory assistant/phlebotomist skills

Patients, 18%
Blood Specimens, 13%
Customer Service, 5%
Phlebotomy Procedures, 5%
Specimen Collection, 4%
Patient Care, 3%

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Medical Laboratory Scientist vs Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist

Updated January 8, 2025

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