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The differences between test laboratory technicians and laboratory 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 test laboratory technician and a laboratory assistant. Additionally, a test laboratory technician has an average salary of $50,765, which is higher than the $34,168 average annual salary of a laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for a test laboratory technician include test equipment, troubleshoot and test results. The most important skills for a laboratory assistant are patients, phlebotomy, and customer service.
| Test Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $50,765 | $34,168 |
| Hourly rate | $24.41 | $16.43 |
| Growth rate | - | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 64,233 | 50,853 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A test laboratory technician is responsible for conducting laboratory tests to diagnose patients' conditions and identify their treatment plans. Test laboratory technicians safely operate laboratory tools and equipment, adhering to the strict safety standards and regulations to avoid contamination and prevent potential hazards within the laboratory. They also maintain the cleanliness of the area, as well as sanitizing the instruments and properly segregating disposable materials. A test laboratory technician analyzes results and writes medical reports under the supervision of an attending physician or medical technologist.
Laboratory assistants work for researchers, scientists, or professors in the laboratory setting. They are expected to have a solid background in the field of study of the laboratory they are assigned to. They do a variety of tasks in the laboratory, such as setting up equipment, observing experiments, analyzing results, creating reports, and recommending improvements to the testing. They may also be assigned to clean and sanitize laboratory equipment as needed. Laboratory assistants should have good research skills, analytical skills, and organizational skills.
Test laboratory technicians and laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $50,765 | $34,168 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $73,000 | Between $26,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Waltham, MA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Westinghouse Appliances Australia | UST Global |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a test laboratory technician and a laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Test Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Biology |
| Most common college | Purdue University | New York University |
Here are the differences between test laboratory technicians' and laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Test Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 11.6% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 13.9% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |