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The differences between pathological technicians and 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 a laboratory technician. Additionally, a pathological technician has an average salary of $50,684, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a pathological technician include clinical laboratory, patients and specimen handling. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Pathological Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $50,684 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $24.37 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 69,003 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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.
Laboratory technicians are medical professionals who work in the laboratory. They are responsible for the equipment in the laboratory, making sure tools are properly sanitized and sterilized after every use. They also ensure that laboratory equipment works well. Laboratory technicians may also be responsible for collecting and testing samples from patients. They prepare solutions and other chemicals that may be needed for testing. They also provide an analysis of the samples that they tested. Laboratory technicians ensure that all items in the laboratory are properly labeled and organized.
Pathological technicians and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pathological Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $50,684 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $69,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Battelle | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a pathological technician and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Pathological Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between pathological technicians' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Pathological Technician | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.8% Female, 67.2% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |