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The differences between microbiology laboratory assistants and clinical laboratory assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a microbiology laboratory assistant and a clinical laboratory assistant. Additionally, a microbiology laboratory assistant has an average salary of $32,736, which is higher than the $32,679 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a microbiology laboratory assistant include patients, lab equipment and data entry. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory assistant are patients, phlebotomy, and clinical lab.
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $32,736 | $32,679 |
| Hourly rate | $15.74 | $15.71 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 49,910 | 108,124 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Microbiology Laboratory Assistants are responsible for assisting laboratory technicians with sample preparation and workplace maintenance in the area of microbiology. Their duties include preparing samples for testing, maintaining laboratory inventory, reporting inventory shortages, and producing inventory reports. Besides that, they are involved in organizing laboratory areas, sterilizing laboratory equipment, and maintain testings log. Microbiology Laboratory Assistants also assist in equipment set up, results analysis, and sample classification. They continuously ensure the operational environment complies with health and safety standards.
A clinical laboratory assistant specializes in performing support tasks in a laboratory or similar setting using their in-depth knowledge. They are primarily responsible for assisting researchers, preparing samples and apparatus, conducting experiments and analysis, maintaining extensive documentation of all processes and results, and reporting to management. Moreover, a clinical laboratory assistant is also responsible for gathering necessary information before beginning studies and maintaining the laboratory's cleanliness and sanitation. It is vital to implement all the safety rules and regulations to ensure a safe and productive work environment.
Microbiology laboratory assistants and clinical laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $32,736 | $32,679 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $48,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Roswell Park |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a microbiology laboratory assistant and a clinical laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between microbiology laboratory assistants' and clinical laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.2% Female, 66.8% | Male, 25.4% Female, 74.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 12.2% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.1% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |