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The differences between pathological 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 a pathological technician and a medical laboratory technician. Additionally, a medical laboratory technician has an average salary of $51,780, which is higher than the $50,684 average annual salary of a pathological technician.
The top three skills for a pathological technician include clinical laboratory, patients and specimen handling. The most important skills for a medical laboratory technician are medical laboratory, patients, and ASCP.
| Pathological Technician | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $50,684 | $51,780 |
| Hourly rate | $24.37 | $24.89 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 69,003 | 88,721 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Associate Degree, 55% |
| 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 medical laboratory technician is responsible for assisting medical health professionals in conducting laboratory tests to diagnose patients' conditions and provide treatments. Medical laboratory technicians ensure the sanitation of all the tools and equipment before conducting tests. They collect adequate blood samples and specimens, analyze fluid elements, utilize laboratory equipment safely, create reports of findings, and alert medical personnel and medical technologists of emergency conditions. A medical laboratory technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry disciplines and processes to perform sensitive tasks and release accurate medical results.
Pathological technicians and medical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pathological Technician | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $50,684 | $51,780 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $69,000 | Between $37,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Battelle | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a pathological technician and a medical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Pathological Technician | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Associate Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Biology | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Maryland - College Park |
Here are the differences between pathological technicians' and medical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Pathological Technician | Medical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.8% Female, 67.2% | Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7% |
| 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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |