Test laboratory technician vs medical technologist, generalist

The differences between test laboratory technicians and medical technologists, generalist 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, generalist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a medical technologist, generalist has an average salary of $58,246, 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, generalist are patients, clinical laboratory, and hematology.

Test laboratory technician vs medical technologist, generalist overview

	Test Laboratory Technician	Medical Technologist, Generalist
Yearly salary	$50,765	$58,246
Hourly rate	$24.41	$28.00
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	64,233	121,721
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	12	2

What does a test laboratory technician do?

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.

What does a medical technologist, generalist do?

A Medical Technologist Generalist performs day-to-day operations in the laboratory such as routine testing, quality control, and maintenance of instruments. They also develop, perform, and evaluate the accuracy of laboratory procedures.

Test laboratory technician vs medical technologist, generalist salary

Test laboratory technicians and medical technologists, generalist have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Test Laboratory Technician	Medical Technologist, Generalist
Average salary	$50,765	$58,246
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $73,000	Between $42,000 And $79,000
Highest paying City	Waltham, MA	Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state	Maine	Alaska
Best paying company	Westinghouse Appliances Australia	Soliant
Best paying industry	Technology	Health Care

Differences between test laboratory technician and medical technologist, generalist education

There are a few differences between a test laboratory technician and a medical technologist, generalist in terms of educational background:

	Test Laboratory Technician	Medical Technologist, Generalist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Medical Technician
Most common college	Purdue University	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Test laboratory technician vs medical technologist, generalist demographics

Here are the differences between test laboratory technicians' and medical technologists, generalist' demographics:

	Test Laboratory Technician	Medical Technologist, Generalist
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9%	Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7%
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, 10.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between test laboratory technician and medical technologist, generalist duties and responsibilities

Test laboratory technician example responsibilities.

Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Used LabVIEW to collect data from measurement equipment (transducers, etc . )
Assist in the design of all RF and environmental fixtures need to test these components.
Assist product engineering to make changes to products in order to meet UL and CSA standards.
Test soil, asphalt, and concrete samples for moisture, density, durability, and other characteristics.
Test done on the asphalt must pass due to the specification of GDOT specs for the contractor to use.

Medical technologist, generalist example responsibilities.

Manage data process flow to ensure employee timekeeping, attendance and payroll objectives are effectively and efficiently maintain.
Perform specimen processing and testing, phlebotomy, analyzer maintenance, proficiency testing etc.
Perform, instruct and delegate medical technologist generalist testing in chemistry, hematology, blood bank and microbiology.
Process and analyze specimens in all areas of the lab including chemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis and microbiology.
Work with a team of Maya artists and composers to produce various commercials from different companies.
Input salary changes, update direct deposit information and withholding allowance certificates into the HRIS system.

Test laboratory technician vs medical technologist, generalist skills

Common test laboratory technician skills

Test Equipment, 8%
Troubleshoot, 7%
Test Results, 6%
Test Lab, 6%
Test Methods, 5%
Data Collection, 5%

Common medical technologist, generalist skills

Patients, 13%
Clinical Laboratory, 13%
Hematology, 9%
Patient Care, 7%
Microbiology, 6%
Blood Bank, 6%

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Test Laboratory Technician vs Medical Technologist, Generalist

Updated January 8, 2025

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