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The differences between microbiology laboratory assistants and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists 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 laboratory assistant/phlebotomist. Additionally, a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist has an average salary of $34,553, 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 laboratory assistant/phlebotomist are patients, blood specimens, and customer service.
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Yearly salary | $32,736 | $34,553 |
| Hourly rate | $15.74 | $16.61 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 49,910 | 74,428 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| 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 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.
Microbiology laboratory assistants and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Average salary | $32,736 | $34,553 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $48,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a microbiology laboratory assistant and a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between microbiology laboratory assistants' and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.2% Female, 66.8% | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% |
| 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, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |