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The differences between medical technologists 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, becoming a clinical laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical technologist has an average salary of $53,249, which is higher than the $50,756 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a medical technologist include patients, clinical laboratory and ASCP. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.
| Medical Technologist | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $53,249 | $50,756 |
| Hourly rate | $25.60 | $24.40 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 116,495 | 119,050 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A medical technologist's role is to conduct laboratory tests with accuracy and speed. It is their responsibility to gather, prepare, and analyze samples such as blood, tissues, and bodily fluid. The produced results will be crucial to a patient's diagnosis and further treatments. It is also essential for medical technologists to keep a precise record of data and coordinate with fellow team members and physicians to ensure the fast and efficient delivery of results. Furthermore, a medical technologist can choose to work in different establishments such as a hospital, laboratory, or private clinic.
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 technologists and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Technologist | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $53,249 | $50,756 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $68,000 | Between $36,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Children's Hospital Colorado | Claxton Hepburn |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Media |
There are a few differences between a medical technologist and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Medical Technologist | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Biology |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | New York University |
Here are the differences between medical technologists' and clinical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Medical Technologist | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 11.9% 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, 12.9% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |