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The differences between microbiology laboratory assistants and phlebotomy 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 phlebotomy technician. Additionally, a phlebotomy technician has an average salary of $34,725, 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 phlebotomy technician are patients, infection control, and blood specimens.
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,736 | $34,725 |
| Hourly rate | $15.74 | $16.69 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 49,910 | 107,110 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Associate Degree, 18% |
| 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 phlebotomy technician is responsible for conducting the medical procedure of drawing blood samples using extraction tools and other equipment. Phlebotomy technicians label the samples for laboratory examinations, donation testing, and other related purposes. They also inspect and maintain the cleanliness of medical equipment, including sterilization of needles and other tools, to avoid contamination that would affect the accuracy of the results. A phlebotomy technician records fluid tests and procedures for reference and patient examination history.
Microbiology laboratory assistants and phlebotomy technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,736 | $34,725 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $48,000 | Between $26,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a microbiology laboratory assistant and a phlebotomy technician in terms of educational background:
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Associate Degree, 18% |
| 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 phlebotomy technicians' demographics:
| Microbiology Laboratory Assistant | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.2% Female, 66.8% | Male, 16.3% Female, 83.7% |
| 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, 11.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |