When you consider the different types of jobs you can get in the healthcare industry, two you might compare are medical assistant and medical lab technician. These are two very different positions, and understanding the difference between them can help you determine your goals in your medical career.
We’ll look at the similarities and differences, and summarize the pros and cons of each position.
What are Medical Assistants and Medical Lab Technicians?
Medical assistants work in medical offices, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities performing clinical and administrative tasks. A medical assistant works under a licensed physician to help patients receive the best health care possible and help the medical facility run smoothly.
Medical lab technicians work in a medical diagnostic lab conducting tests on bodily tissues and fluids such as blood, urine, and sputum, among others. These technicians work with specialized equipment to perform their required tests and record the results.
Responsibilities of a Medical Assistant
A medical assistant does numerous administrative and clinical tasks in a medical facility. Medical assistants are not allowed to practice medicine (give diagnosis, write a prescription, create a treatment plan, interpret lab results) but they can do any non-invasive clinical procedure they are trained to do, that is not restricted by state regulations.
These are a few of the things that medical assistants may do in a typical workday:
- Greet patients, check them into appointments
- Schedule follow up appointments for patients
- Take vital signs, including blood pressure, height, weight, pulse, temperature
- Room patients and prepare empty examination rooms for next patients
- Administer vaccinations or give shots (in most states)
- Give medication (pre-measured doses, reviewed by physician)
- Help physician with exams or other procedures (MA’s cannot do invasive procedures on their own, but can assist physicians)
- Change wound dressings
- Remove sutures or staples
- Administer EKGs
- Update patient medical records
- Help with medical billing
- Contact pharmacy to confirm refill (already authorized by physician)
- Convey instructions from physician to patient
- Restock examination rooms with supplies
Responsibilities of a Medical Laboratory Technician
A medical lab technician doesn’t have much patient interaction, they work mostly doing diagnostics of patient samples. Here are typical duties for a med lab technician:
- Performing lab tests on patient samples
- Analyzing patient samples and body tissue for abnormalities
- Testing blood samples for blood types and antibodies
- Recording results from diagnostic tests
- Notify physician of any abnormal results
- Maintaining laboratory equipment
Job Growth and Salary
According to 2024 data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics[1], medical assistants are projected to have a stunning 15% job demand growth between 2023 and 2033, much faster than average.
The BLS projects that clinical laboratory technologists and technicians will have a job growth increase of about 5% between 2023 and 2033[2], which is typical for all jobs in this time period.
In May of 2024, medical assistants in California had an annual mean salary of $52,770 per year and an hourly mean wage of $25.37 per hour according to BLS and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OWES) data.[4]
As of May 2024, clinical lab technologists and technicians had an annual mean salary of $76,690 per year and an hourly mean wage of $36.87 per hour according to data from the BLS and OWES. [4]
Education Required
To become certified as a medical assistant, you need to attend an approved training program and then pass a certifying exam. A medical assisting training program usually takes several months, but is commonly less than a year.
A medical laboratory technician generally must have an associates or bachelors degree with the accompanying training.
Certification and Licensing
Medical assistants are only required to be certified in order to work in the state of Washington. Other states do not require formal certification, but it is recommended, for a couple reasons. Malpractice insurance carriers may require all workers to be certified for policies to be valid, and physicians may prefer candidates who are certified because it shows they have gone through a training program.
In some states, medical assistants may be required to go through a training course to do specific tasks regulated by state laws, such as giving vaccines or shots to patients, or administering pre-measured doses of medication.
For medical lab technicians, state licensing is required in California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
Typical Workplaces
Medical assistants work primarily in physicians offices (56%), hospitals (16%), outpatient clinics and care centers (9%), offices of other health practitioners (8%), and others (11%).
Medical laboratory technicians work in hospitals (36%), medical and diagnostic laboratories (21%), physicians offices (9%), educational services (5%), other ambulatory services (4%), and others (25%).
Typical Schedule
Medical assistants typically work during weekdays, during business hours. Most medical assistants work in medical offices and clinics, with some working in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Your schedule as a medical assistant will be very predictable and stable.
Medical laboratory technicians may work a whole variety of hours, including weekdays, weekends, day schedule and night schedule.
Skills Needed
Medical assistants must have these qualities:
- Time management. Medical assistants are responsible for making sure patient appointments run smoothly and on time.
- Organizational skills. The ability to manage the day, tasks that need to be done, and the schedule is important.
- Communication. Medical assistants are the liaisons between physicians and patients, so interpersonal communication is a necessary skill.
- Empathy. Patients are often stressed or have anxiety about medical visits; medical assistants must empathize and make them feel seen, heard and understood.
Medical laboratory technicians should have these characteristics:
- Attention to detail. Med lab techs must test samples using strict guidelines and look for any discrepancies or abnormalities.
- Patience. There is a lot of repetition in this work, so being patient and staying focused is crucial.
- Analytical skills. Medical lab technicians must be able to make deductions based on scientific analysis of patient tissue or samples.
Both medical assistants and medical laboratory technicians spend the majority of their day on their feet, so they should have stamina and a good pair of shoes with arch support.
Become a Medical Assistant at Campus Sacramento
If you’re ready to take the first step towards starting your healthcare career, Campus Sacramento has a Medical Assisting program that will help you earn your certification in a matter of months. You’ll be trained in clinical and administrative skills you need to get your first jobs in medical assisting. For more information on start dates, curriculum, flexible class schedules, and financial aid, contact our friendly Admissions team or call 888-675-2460.
[1] Note: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with Campus, formerly known as MTI College, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to Campus graduates and, by providing the above information, Campus makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.
[2] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm , accessed August 16, 2025.
[3] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm , accessed August 17, 2025.
[4] https://data.bls.gov/oesprofile/ , accessed August 18, 2025.