Medical technologist, generalist vs laboratory technician

The differences between medical technologists, generalist and 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 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 $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a medical technologist, generalist include patients, clinical laboratory and hematology. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.

Medical technologist, generalist vs laboratory technician overview

	Medical Technologist, Generalist	Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary	$58,246	$40,038
Hourly rate	$28.00	$19.25
Growth rate	7%	4%
Number of jobs	121,721	84,357
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
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 laboratory technician do?

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.

Medical technologist, generalist vs laboratory technician salary

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

	Medical Technologist, Generalist	Laboratory Technician
Average salary	$58,246	$40,038
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $79,000	Between $27,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	Palo Alto, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Soliant	Tenaska
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between medical technologist, generalist and laboratory technician education

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

	Medical Technologist, Generalist	Laboratory Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Biology
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	New York University

Medical technologist, generalist vs laboratory technician demographics

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

	Medical Technologist, Generalist	Laboratory Technician
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7%	Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7%
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, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between medical technologist, generalist and 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.

Laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Analyze and paid attention to detail as well as demonstrated excellent organization skills, manual dexterity and good eyesight.
Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate with EKG equipment and notify physician is something appears to be wrong.
Monitor several color formulations being manufacture in the production department to ensure manufacturing procedures are follow per ISO and GMP.
Perform age appropriate phlebotomy while working with critically or terminally ill patients, with careful respect for individual and/or cultural concerns.

Medical technologist, generalist vs laboratory technician skills

Common medical technologist, generalist skills

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

Common laboratory technician skills

Patients, 17%
Lab Equipment, 8%
Customer Service, 6%
Basic Math, 4%
Test Results, 4%
Math, 4%

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Medical Technologist, Generalist vs Laboratory Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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