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The differences between test laboratory technicians and laboratory coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a test laboratory technician, becoming a laboratory coordinator takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a laboratory coordinator has an average salary of $52,690, which is higher than the $50,765 average annual salary of a test laboratory technician.
The top three skills for a test laboratory technician include test equipment, troubleshoot and test results. The most important skills for a laboratory coordinator are lab equipment, patients, and patient care.
| Test Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $50,765 | $52,690 |
| Hourly rate | $24.41 | $25.33 |
| Growth rate | - | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 64,233 | 64,914 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
A laboratory coordinator is responsible for supporting laboratory examinations and experiments, collecting laboratory samples, and ensuring the efficiency and performance of laboratory tools and equipment. Laboratory coordinators maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the laboratory facility at all times to avoid contaminations and hazards that may affect laboratory results and accuracy of examinations. They also perform scientific processes under the supervision of a scientist or laboratory technicians and keep an organized report of findings in the database.
Test laboratory technicians and laboratory coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $50,765 | $52,690 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $73,000 | Between $38,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Waltham, MA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Westinghouse Appliances Australia | AbbVie |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a test laboratory technician and a laboratory coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Test Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Biology |
| Most common college | Purdue University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between test laboratory technicians' and laboratory coordinators' demographics:
| Test Laboratory Technician | Laboratory Coordinator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% | Male, 41.5% Female, 58.5% |
| 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, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |