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The differences between pathological technicians and clinical 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 a clinical technician. Additionally, a pathological technician has an average salary of $50,684, which is higher than the $35,760 average annual salary of a clinical technician.
The top three skills for a pathological technician include clinical laboratory, patients and specimen handling. The most important skills for a clinical technician are patients, vital signs, and phlebotomy.
| Pathological Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $50,684 | $35,760 |
| Hourly rate | $24.37 | $17.19 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 69,003 | 161,812 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| 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.
A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations. They also maintain medical charts, update patients' information on the database, and administer patients' medication. A clinical technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as strictly following internal guidelines and safety procedures during operations.
Pathological technicians and clinical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pathological Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Average salary | $50,684 | $35,760 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $69,000 | Between $26,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Battelle | Brigham and Women's Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Government |
There are a few differences between a pathological technician and a clinical technician in terms of educational background:
| Pathological Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Biology | Nursing |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between pathological technicians' and clinical technicians' demographics:
| Pathological Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.8% Female, 67.2% | Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |