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The differences between microbiology laboratory assistants and clinical laboratory technicians 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 technician. Additionally, a clinical laboratory technician has an average salary of $50,756, which is higher than the $32,736 average annual salary of a microbiology 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 technician are patients, test results, and patient care.
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,736 | $50,756 |
| Hourly rate | $15.74 | $24.40 |
| Growth rate | 9% | - |
| Number of jobs | 49,910 | 119,050 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| 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 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.
Microbiology laboratory assistants and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,736 | $50,756 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $48,000 | Between $36,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Claxton Hepburn |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between a microbiology laboratory assistant and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| 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 technicians' demographics:
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.2% Female, 66.8% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| 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, 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% |