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The differences between specimen technicians and clinical 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 specimen technician and a clinical laboratory technician. Additionally, a clinical laboratory technician has an average salary of $50,756, which is higher than the $39,267 average annual salary of a specimen technician.
The top three skills for a specimen technician include patients, data entry and medical terminology. The most important skills for a clinical laboratory technician are patients, test results, and patient care.
| Specimen Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,267 | $50,756 |
| Hourly rate | $18.88 | $24.40 |
| Growth rate | 1% | - |
| Number of jobs | 79,207 | 119,050 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A specimen technician is responsible for processing a human's medical sample and specimen in a laboratory setting to diagnose medical conditions and identify treatment plans. Specimen technicians operate various laboratory tools and equipment, requiring them to strictly adhere to safety guidelines and protocols to avoid potential hazards and potential disease contamination. They also record laboratory findings accurately and write comprehensive reports for the patients' and doctors' reference. A specimen technician may refer test results to other institutions for second opinions as needed for further investigation before the release of findings.
A clinical laboratory technician typically works under the direction of a physician or medical technologist to perform tests that will aid in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions and illnesses. You will perform various duties, including preparing samples for analysis, monitoring tests and procedures, and matching blood for transfusion. Additionally, you are expected to participate in staff training and educational opportunities and contribute to a secure and safe environment for patients, physicians, co-workers, and visitors. This role will also require ensuring that laboratory information remains confidential.
Specimen technicians and clinical laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Specimen Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,267 | $50,756 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $53,000 | Between $36,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Integrated Resources | Claxton Hepburn |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Media |
There are a few differences between a specimen technician and a clinical laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Specimen Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Biology | Biology |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between specimen technicians' and clinical laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Specimen Technician | Clinical Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 12.9% White, 53.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |