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The differences between phlebotomists and laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a phlebotomist, becoming a laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a laboratory technician has an average salary of $40,038, which is higher than the $33,713 average annual salary of a phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a phlebotomist include patients, customer service and blood samples. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.
| Phlebotomist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $33,713 | $40,038 |
| Hourly rate | $16.21 | $19.25 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 11,707 | 84,357 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.4 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 22% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Phlebotomists are workers in the medical field who specialize in drawing blood from patients. They ensure that patients are prepared by explaining the procedure to them, showing them tools they will use and where their blood will be stored, and answering any questions the patients may have. Phlebotomists then draw blood from the patient, patch up the area where the blood was drawn, and store the blood samples in properly labeled vials or blood bags. After the procedure, they send the blood samples to the laboratory for testing, transfusion, or any other use that there may be.
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.
Phlebotomists and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Phlebotomist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $33,713 | $40,038 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $27,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Tenaska |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a phlebotomist and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Phlebotomist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 22% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Biology |
| Most common college | - | New York University |
Here are the differences between phlebotomists' and laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Phlebotomist | Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.7% Female, 83.3% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | 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% |