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The differences between specimen technicians and phlebotomy 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 phlebotomy technician. Additionally, a specimen technician has an average salary of $39,267, which is higher than the $34,725 average annual salary of a phlebotomy technician.
The top three skills for a specimen technician include patients, data entry and medical terminology. The most important skills for a phlebotomy technician are patients, infection control, and blood specimens.
| Specimen Technician | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,267 | $34,725 |
| Hourly rate | $18.88 | $16.69 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 79,207 | 107,110 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 18% |
| 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 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.
Specimen technicians and phlebotomy technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Specimen Technician | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,267 | $34,725 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $53,000 | Between $26,000 And $45,000 |
| 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 phlebotomy technician in terms of educational background:
| Specimen Technician | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 18% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between specimen technicians' and phlebotomy technicians' demographics:
| Specimen Technician | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% | Male, 16.3% Female, 83.7% |
| 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, 11.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |