Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between phlebotomy technicians and medical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a phlebotomy technician and a medical assistant. Additionally, a medical assistant has an average salary of $34,900, which is higher than the $34,725 average annual salary of a phlebotomy technician.
The top three skills for a phlebotomy technician include patients, infection control and blood specimens. The most important skills for a medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and patient care.
| Phlebotomy Technician | Medical Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $34,725 | $34,900 |
| Hourly rate | $16.69 | $16.78 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 107,110 | 189,915 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 18% | Associate Degree, 24% |
| Average age | 44 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A phlebotomy technician is responsible for conducting the medical procedure of drawing blood samples using extraction tools and other equipment. Phlebotomy technicians label the samples for laboratory examinations, donation testing, and other related purposes. They also inspect and maintain the cleanliness of medical equipment, including sterilization of needles and other tools, to avoid contamination that would affect the accuracy of the results. A phlebotomy technician records fluid tests and procedures for reference and patient examination history.
Medical assistants provide support to medical practitioners in both administrative and clerical tasks. They keep and update the patient's medical records, administer medicines under the supervision of a physician, assist during medical examinations, prepare medical samples for laboratory testing, manage the schedule of appointments, and assist the patients with their bills and in filling out needed forms, such as insurance-related documents. Medical assistants should have good communication skills and analytical skills, be organized, and be flexible. They should also have knowledge of how to operate some medical equipment such as x-ray machines.
Phlebotomy technicians and medical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Phlebotomy Technician | Medical Assistant | |
| Average salary | $34,725 | $34,900 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $45,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Vancouver, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a phlebotomy technician and a medical assistant in terms of educational background:
| Phlebotomy Technician | Medical Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 18% | Associate Degree, 24% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | - |
Here are the differences between phlebotomy technicians' and medical assistants' demographics:
| Phlebotomy Technician | Medical Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.3% Female, 83.7% | Male, 10.4% Female, 89.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 25.7% Asian, 8.8% White, 49.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |