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The differences between phlebotomists and registered medical assistants 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 registered medical assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a registered medical assistant has an average salary of $36,580, 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 registered medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and office procedures.
| Phlebotomist | Registered Medical Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $33,713 | $36,580 |
| Hourly rate | $16.21 | $17.59 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 11,707 | 183,988 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.4 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 22% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 41 | 37 |
| 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.
The primary job of registered medical assistants is to perform clinical and administrative tasks in a healthcare setting. They offer support services to physicians, so the latter have plenty of time to care for patients. They carry out varied administrative, clerical, and clinical tasks that include taking vital signs, filing records, and scheduling patient appointments. Other responsibilities include discussing treatment procedures to patients, interacting with patients, and collecting laboratory specimens such as tissue and blood. Ideal characteristics to become a registered medical assistant include being compassionate, can work well with people, and adaptable.
Phlebotomists and registered medical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Phlebotomist | Registered Medical Assistant | |
| Average salary | $33,713 | $36,580 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $26,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Griffin Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a phlebotomist and a registered medical assistant in terms of educational background:
| Phlebotomist | Registered Medical Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 22% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between phlebotomists' and registered medical assistants' demographics:
| Phlebotomist | Registered Medical Assistant | |
| Average age | 41 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.7% Female, 83.3% | Male, 8.2% Female, 91.8% |
| 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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 8.7% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |