Medical technologist, generalist vs clinical laboratory technician

The differences between medical technologists, generalist and clinical laboratory technicians 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 technologist, generalist, becoming a clinical laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical technologist, generalist has an average salary of $58,246, which is higher than the $50,756 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a medical technologist, generalist include patients, clinical laboratory and hematology. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.

Medical technologist, generalist vs clinical laboratory technician overview

	Medical Technologist, Generalist	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$58,246	$50,756
Hourly rate	$28.00	$24.40
Growth rate	7%	-
Number of jobs	121,721	119,050
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a medical technologist, generalist do?

A Medical Technologist Generalist performs day-to-day operations in the laboratory such as routine testing, quality control, and maintenance of instruments. They also develop, perform, and evaluate the accuracy of laboratory procedures.

What does a clinical laboratory technician do?

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 technologist, generalist vs clinical laboratory technician salary

Medical technologists, generalist and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Technologist, Generalist	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$58,246	$50,756
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $79,000	Between $36,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	Palo Alto, CA	Stockton, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Soliant	Claxton Hepburn
Best paying industry	Health Care	Media

Differences between medical technologist, generalist and clinical laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a medical technologist, generalist and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

	Medical Technologist, Generalist	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Biology
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	New York University

Medical technologist, generalist vs clinical laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between medical technologists, generalist' and clinical laboratory technicians' demographics:

	Medical Technologist, Generalist	Clinical Laboratory Technician
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7%	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.0% 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	8%	8%

Differences between medical technologist, generalist and clinical laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Medical technologist, generalist example responsibilities.

Manage data process flow to ensure employee timekeeping, attendance and payroll objectives are effectively and efficiently maintain.
Perform specimen processing and testing, phlebotomy, analyzer maintenance, proficiency testing etc.
Perform, instruct and delegate medical technologist generalist testing in chemistry, hematology, blood bank and microbiology.
Process and analyze specimens in all areas of the lab including chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis and microbiology.
Work with a team of Maya artists and composers to produce various commercials from different companies.
Input salary changes, update direct deposit information and withholding allowance certificates into the HRIS system.

Clinical laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Provide oversight of training and competency testing of technicians to ensure compliance with CLIA, HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
Collect, process, and analyze clinical specimens for several departments including microbiology, chemistry, hematology, and urinalysis
Experience working in a hospital laboratory in automate chemistry, hematology, blood bank, urinalysis, and immunology departments.
Dispose of biohazard wastes according to OSHA standards ..
Screen blood products for pathogens and co-treatment success.

Medical technologist, generalist vs clinical laboratory technician skills

Common medical technologist, generalist skills

Patients, 13%
Clinical Laboratory, 13%
Hematology, 9%
Patient Care, 7%
Microbiology, 6%
Blood Bank, 6%

Common clinical laboratory technician skills

Patients, 16%
Test Results, 7%
Patient Care, 6%
Hematology, 5%
Body Fluids, 4%
Proficiency Testing, 4%

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Medical Technologist, Generalist vs Clinical Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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