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The differences between medical technologists, generalist 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 technologist, generalist, becoming a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical technologist, generalist has an average salary of $58,246, which is higher than the $34,553 average annual salary of a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a medical technologist, generalist include patients, clinical laboratory and hematology. The most important skills for a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist are patients, blood specimens, and customer service.
| Medical Technologist, Generalist | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Yearly salary | $58,246 | $34,553 |
| Hourly rate | $28.00 | $16.61 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 121,721 | 74,428 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
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.
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 technologists, generalist and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Technologist, Generalist | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Average salary | $58,246 | $34,553 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $79,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Soliant | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a medical technologist, generalist and a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:
| Medical Technologist, Generalist | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between medical technologists, generalist' and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:
| Medical Technologist, Generalist | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7% | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% |
| 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, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |