Post job

Technical specialist, cytology vs laboratory technician

The differences between technical specialists, cytology and 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 technical specialist, cytology and a laboratory technician. Additionally, a technical specialist, cytology has an average salary of $54,859, which is higher than the $40,038 average annual salary of a laboratory technician.

The top three skills for a technical specialist, cytology include clinical laboratory, non-gyn and FNA. The most important skills for a laboratory technician are patients, lab equipment, and customer service.

Technical specialist, cytology vs laboratory technician overview

Technical Specialist, CytologyLaboratory Technician
Yearly salary$54,859$40,038
Hourly rate$26.37$19.25
Growth rate10%4%
Number of jobs71,64784,357
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

Technical specialist, cytology vs laboratory technician salary

Technical specialists, cytology and laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technical Specialist, CytologyLaboratory Technician
Average salary$54,859$40,038
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $73,000Between $27,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Tenaska
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between technical specialist, cytology and laboratory technician education

There are a few differences between a technical specialist, cytology and a laboratory technician in terms of educational background:

Technical Specialist, CytologyLaboratory Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBiologyBiology
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Technical specialist, cytology vs laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between technical specialists, cytology' and laboratory technicians' demographics:

Technical Specialist, CytologyLaboratory Technician
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 22.4% Female, 77.6%Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 12.2% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between technical specialist, cytology and laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

Technical specialist, cytology example responsibilities.

  • Manage and supervise the operations of the cytology department.
  • Perform QC and QA of all slides process.
  • Numbered, stain and cover slip all GYN and non-GYN specimens.
  • Prepare GYN and Non-GYN specimens, make slides, and stain for cytologist and pathologist to interpret.
  • Work with Thinprep and Surepath cytology and pathology preparations.
  • Initiate and implement projects for cost reduction, productivity improvement, and increase equipment availability/reliability and to meet ISO compliance.
  • Show more

Laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
  • Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
  • Analyze and paid attention to detail as well as demonstrated excellent organization skills, manual dexterity and good eyesight.
  • Monitor patients' blood pressure and heart rate with EKG equipment and notify physician is something appears to be wrong.
  • Monitor several color formulations being manufacture in the production department to ensure manufacturing procedures are follow per ISO and GMP.
  • Perform age appropriate phlebotomy while working with critically or terminally ill patients, with careful respect for individual and/or cultural concerns.
  • Show more

Technical specialist, cytology vs laboratory technician skills

Common technical specialist, cytology skills
  • Clinical Laboratory, 22%
  • Non-Gyn, 18%
  • FNA, 9%
  • Computer System, 8%
  • Cell Samples, 7%
  • Laboratory Equipment, 6%
Common laboratory technician skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Lab Equipment, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Basic Math, 4%
  • Test Results, 4%
  • Math, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs