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The differences between test laboratory technicians and medical technologists 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 medical technologist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a medical technologist has an average salary of $53,249, 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 medical technologist are patients, clinical laboratory, and ASCP.
| Test Laboratory Technician | Medical Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $50,765 | $53,249 |
| Hourly rate | $24.41 | $25.60 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 64,233 | 116,495 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| 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 medical technologist's role is to conduct laboratory tests with accuracy and speed. It is their responsibility to gather, prepare, and analyze samples such as blood, tissues, and bodily fluid. The produced results will be crucial to a patient's diagnosis and further treatments. It is also essential for medical technologists to keep a precise record of data and coordinate with fellow team members and physicians to ensure the fast and efficient delivery of results. Furthermore, a medical technologist can choose to work in different establishments such as a hospital, laboratory, or private clinic.
Test laboratory technicians and medical technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Laboratory Technician | Medical Technologist | |
| Average salary | $50,765 | $53,249 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $73,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Waltham, MA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Westinghouse Appliances Australia | Children's Hospital Colorado |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a test laboratory technician and a medical technologist in terms of educational background:
| Test Laboratory Technician | Medical Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Purdue University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between test laboratory technicians' and medical technologists' demographics:
| Test Laboratory Technician | Medical Technologist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% | Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5% |
| 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, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |