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Orthodontic laboratory technician vs medical laboratory technician

The differences between orthodontic laboratory technicians and medical 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 an orthodontic laboratory technician and a medical laboratory technician. Additionally, a medical laboratory technician has an average salary of $51,780, which is higher than the $33,152 average annual salary of an orthodontic laboratory technician.

The top three skills for an orthodontic laboratory technician include study models, splints and front desk. The most important skills for a medical laboratory technician are medical laboratory, patients, and ASCP.

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs medical laboratory technician overview

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianMedical Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary$33,152$51,780
Hourly rate$15.94$24.89
Growth rate2%16%
Number of jobs41,95588,721
Job satisfaction-3.33
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 55%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs medical laboratory technician salary

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

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianMedical Laboratory Technician
Average salary$33,152$51,780
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $47,000Between $37,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and medical laboratory technician education

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

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianMedical Laboratory Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 55%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesClinical/Medical Laboratory Science
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs medical laboratory technician demographics

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

Orthodontic Laboratory TechnicianMedical Laboratory Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between orthodontic laboratory technician and medical laboratory technician 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.

Medical laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing office functions through strong knowledge of PACS, Fuji CR, and EMR systems.
  • Accomplish constant multitasking between phlebotomy, reception and lab on a daily basis while providing outstanding customer communication skills.
  • Conduct clinical diagnostic laboratory tests and specimen analysis in hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, serology and immunology.
  • Experience in the areas of chemistry, hematology, serology, urinalysis, coagulation and microbiology specimen preparation.
  • Serve as rotational general laboratory technician in urinalysis, serology, chemistry, hematology, coagulation, microbiology, and shipping.
  • Pass and receive ASCP MLT certification upon graduation.
  • Show more

Orthodontic laboratory technician vs medical laboratory technician skills

Common orthodontic laboratory technician skills
  • Study Models, 25%
  • Splints, 19%
  • Front Desk, 12%
  • Orthodontic Appliances, 11%
  • Chair Side, 9%
  • RPE, 9%
Common medical laboratory technician skills
  • Medical Laboratory, 10%
  • Patients, 10%
  • ASCP, 9%
  • Clinical Laboratory, 8%
  • MLT, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%

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