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The differences between pathological technicians and assistant 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 pathological technician and an assistant laboratory technician. Additionally, a pathological technician has an average salary of $50,684, which is higher than the $35,556 average annual salary of an assistant laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a pathological technician include clinical laboratory, patients and specimen handling. The most important skills for an assistant laboratory technician are patients, ladders, and computer lab.
| Pathological Technician | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $50,684 | $35,556 |
| Hourly rate | $24.37 | $17.09 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 69,003 | 116,488 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Pathology technicians, or sometimes referred to as pathology assistants, are professionals who assist pathologists review specimens and tissue samples by utilizing microscopes and other complex lab equipment. These technicians are required to audit lab equipment in the inventory system and provide minor maintenance and calibrations on the lab equipment to avoid errors in test results. They are required to evaluate laboratory test results and record known control values from technical instruments to ensure reliability. Pathological technicians must also handle and organize blood samples taken for pharmacological studies.
The primary responsibility of a lab assistant is to help scientists and technologists. Lab assistants are assigned to prepare and monitor tests and experiments in research or medical laboratory. They analyze data and establish reports based on test results. Also, they set up the tools and equipment used in the lab. It is also part of their job to clean the lab rooms--knowledge in lab management, communication skills, attention to detail, and medical-related management.
Pathological technicians and assistant laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pathological Technician | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $50,684 | $35,556 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $69,000 | Between $21,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Manchester, NH |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Battelle | Patterson-UTI Energy |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a pathological technician and an assistant laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Pathological Technician | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Maryland - College Park |
Here are the differences between pathological technicians' and assistant laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Pathological Technician | Assistant Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.8% Female, 67.2% | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 12.0% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |