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The differences between specimen technicians and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists 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 laboratory assistant/phlebotomist. Additionally, a specimen technician has an average salary of $39,267, which is higher than the $34,553 average annual salary of a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a specimen technician include patients, data entry and medical terminology. The most important skills for a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist are patients, blood specimens, and customer service.
| Specimen Technician | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Yearly salary | $39,267 | $34,553 |
| Hourly rate | $18.88 | $16.61 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 79,207 | 74,428 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| 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 laboratory assistant/phlebotomist is responsible for drawing blood samples and other laboratory tests, labeling specimens, and performing administrative and clerical duties as needed. Laboratory assistants/phlebotomists should ensure that the laboratory tools and equipment are stored and secured in a safe area, as well as regularly sterilizing testing tools to avoid contamination upon the use of the patients. They must be highly knowledgeable of the medical procedures and processes, responding to the patients' inquiries and concerns, and providing a timely update of medical results.
Specimen technicians and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Specimen Technician | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Average salary | $39,267 | $34,553 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $53,000 | Between $27,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Integrated Resources | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between a specimen technician and a laboratory assistant/phlebotomist in terms of educational background:
| Specimen Technician | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 23% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between specimen technicians' and laboratory assistant/phlebotomists' demographics:
| Specimen Technician | Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% | Male, 17.1% Female, 82.9% |
| 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, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |