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Orthodontic laboratory technician vs clinical laboratory assistant

The differences between orthodontic laboratory technicians 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 an orthodontic laboratory technician and a clinical laboratory assistant. Additionally, an orthodontic laboratory technician has an average salary of $33,152, which is higher than the $32,679 average annual salary of a clinical laboratory assistant.

The top three skills for an orthodontic laboratory technician include study models, splints and front desk. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory assistant are patients, phlebotomy, and clinical lab.

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs clinical laboratory assistant overview

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianClinical Laboratory Assistant
Yearly salary$33,152$32,679
Hourly rate$15.94$15.71
Growth rate2%10%
Number of jobs41,955108,124
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs clinical laboratory assistant salary

Orthodontic laboratory technicians and clinical laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianClinical Laboratory Assistant
Average salary$33,152$32,679
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $47,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Roswell Park
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and clinical laboratory assistant education

There are a few differences between an orthodontic laboratory technician and a clinical laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianClinical Laboratory Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesBiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNew York University

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs clinical laboratory assistant demographics

Here are the differences between orthodontic laboratory technicians' and clinical laboratory assistants' demographics:

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianClinical Laboratory Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 25.4% Female, 74.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 11.4% White, 54.4% 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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and clinical laboratory assistant duties and responsibilities

Orthodontic laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
  • Place wires, mods, orms, assist with productions (bands, brackets, headgear).
  • Perform immunological, chemical, microbiological, and hematological tests, critically examine results for accuracy, troubleshoot discrepancies.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations of quality chromosome spread images, used to determine variability in count and morphology.

Clinical laboratory assistant example responsibilities.

  • Achieve PHLEBOTOMY duties utilizing proper infection control techniques and perform a variety of laboratory tests.
  • Process specimen, recollect and deliver to chemistry, microbiology, molecular or hematology departments for testing.
  • Receive specimens for microbiology, histology, cytology, anatomic pathology and hematology tests/procedures, checks for proper identification and requisition.
  • Operate EKG and other equipment to administer routine diagnostic tests.
  • Transfer of samples from racks to centrifuges and decant station.
  • Administer EKG's, clean wounds, draw labs, and apply dressings.
  • Show more

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs clinical laboratory assistant skills

Common orthodontic laboratory technician skills
  • Study Models, 25%
  • Splints, 19%
  • Front Desk, 12%
  • Orthodontic Appliances, 11%
  • Chair Side, 9%
  • RPE, 9%
Common clinical laboratory assistant skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Phlebotomy, 14%
  • Clinical Lab, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Specimen Collection, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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