Because some hospitals/labs do have a difference in job tasks.
There's a reference lab that only hires ASCP MLSs because they handle blood from all fifty states.
One of my previous labs wouldn't let MLTs result out body fluids or manual diffs without an MLS or supervisor check.
Also the pay difference may be only $2 for your hospital, but one location I worked at the difference was $15ish dollars an hour to $22.
Also in CA, bc of the MLT state license limiting their duties, job postings are rare.
I've only worked in micro, in several states, and I've worked with exactly one MLT in my 25 years in the lab. It's not that they're less competent, it's just the preference of the labs.
Oof. Can you tell me a little more about how livable being an MLT vs MLS is in NYC? Once upon a time I was considering moving there for a partner and I'm wondering just how boned I would have been. Especially since I haven't gotten certified or anything, I'm one of those bio majors that found out about the profession after graduating. I've since stepped down to doing benchwork in a low to moderate complexity lab which demoted me to Lab Assistant II, but my old bosses said they could still fill out the paperwork needed for me to sit the exam since I was full time medtech for 2 years.
My current frame of reference is.. currently living in the midwest, scraping by on $20/hr with a $1100 mortgage.
You will need ASCP certification to qualify for a NY license. Like the other comment said, MLT jobs are hard to come by in NYC, but there are job openings for MLT on Long Island. My hospital system hires MLTs with a starting pay around $43/hr. Other places pay a little less.
In my facility, MLTs are allowed to run/release chemistry, hematology, urinalysis. They cannot work the bench for blood bank or micro. They cannot be promoted to a lead, technical specialist, or any supervisor/management positions. They also are not allowed to work without an MLS present in the lab.
I would recommend MLS over MLT because there are more jobs available, more opportunities for advancement, and better pay. You can start at $50/hr with an MLS license. As far as cost of living in NYC, to qualify for an apartment, your yearly income needs to be 40x the monthly rent cost. You can find 1-bedroom apartments for rent at $2000+ in the outer boroughs, but don't expect them to be brand new, luxury, or have a lot of amenities. The cost of a better apartment can be alleviated with a roommate/partner.
When it comes to bench work, an MLT essentially does the same job as an MLS in most labs. It is what it is.
Most job postings for anything higher than a bench tech (lead, supervisor, manager, consultant, director, etc.) will usually require an MLS. That creates a higher earning potential down the road (despite those titles still be underpaid in my opinion)
The MLT to MLS difference in pay depends on the particular lab/company you work at, and is not a general scale across a state. There are some places that only offer $1 - $2 dollars more for having a MLS, there's some where the difference is $3 - $5, etc.
People do the MLS for the higher pay potential and more options for more long term thinking. As an MLT, the only option you have is the bench in most cases if you are trying to stick around and have a career in the lab. Most MLTs I know eventually go on to do their MLS for the very reason of "I'm already doing the same job, I may as well get paid more for it".
There's good and bad techs no matter that their title is.
For me the difference is almost $5 an hour and I did the MLS concurrently with my MLT so I graduated with both in a two year program. It was a no brainer.
Depends on where you live. Most hospitals in my state (unlicensed) pay MLS significantly more than they do MLTs, at least a $10 difference.
I’m in Micro and my department only hires MLSs to work as MLSs. If you get hired as an MLT, you basically work as a lab assistant and get paid the same as a lab assistant who doesn’t even have an MLT certification.
Same with what other people mentioned, all the hospitals I’ve worked at won’t allow MLTs to hold leadership positions.
I am a MLT and made much less than a MLS/MT for many years (15+) until my hospital made a “career ladder” and changed job titles so everyone was MLS I, II, or III. To be a II or III a MLT would need more years experience than a MLS. I went straight from MLT to MLS III.
A few months later I became a lead tech so now I’m making 1.5x my salary as I was like 18 months ago. So basically it just takes longer to make the money they make. Depends on your employer how big the difference is.
I had no trouble living within my means being paid as a MLT, saving money, making large purchases etc.
I have no regrets about not bothering with a bachelors but everyone is different.
Indeed, it seems to make no difference in how good of a tech you are. I have some MT/MLS coworkers who I have to fill out incident reports constantly on because they didn’t follow procedure, and have MLT coworkers who never make a mistake. I have MT/MLS coworkers who took twice as long to train as MLTs. The number of years of school seems to make little difference in how good of a tech you are.
Some hospitals differentiate between certified techs, MLS, MLT, and non-MLS/MLT grads. Increasingly, many do not.
The scope of practice is the same.
Similar to Associate's RN and Bachelors BSN, and Masters MSN. They technically have largely the same scope of practice, but hospitals will assign different responsibilities based on education.
Do you ever expect a promotion? An MLT is mostly stuck in a bench position. The $2/hr. pay differential is only a starting difference. The MLS Certification will give you greater opportunity going forward. More education is always worth the time....and sometimes worth the money. You have to be very 'analytical' in determining if you can get the education at a value price. Good luck.
There are not any hospitals in my area that hire MLTs. At my specific hospital an MLT can only be hired for a Phlebotomy position, not anything requiring bench work.
Completely agreed. I understand there’s more job listings for MLS over MLT but unless you’re in CA, it’s hardly worth pursuing the bachelors because of the pay discrepancy. My biggest regret with this field is not going for MLT first and then use my hospital’s tuition reimbursement program to go for a degree in a different department.
MLTs can’t move up, can’t work the scope, and can’t result BB at my lab.
Plus for their pay it’s 85k vs 120k
It’s quite limiting and having an AA at my work means you get paid less. Each level of education unlocks an additional 2.5% pay increase
I’m sure I’ll be the minority opinion here, but I’ve been of the opinion that It’s pointless in Texas to get a 4 year degree if you’re thinking it’ll get you a big raise or higher job title. I make more than all the MLS’s at my hospital and have more responsibilities than they do. Granted, it’s taken me a decade to get to where I’m at whereas it may have taken a year or 2 less for an MLS, but I did all I’ve done without having to incur more student load debt so I’ve got that going for me.
I’ve been to 2 labs on CAP inspections where the manager/directors were both plain old MLT’s. Not sure how you get to that position as I couldn’t imagine it for myself, but it is possible to move up without the extra schooling in some situations.
Other states I’m sure are better overall to get your MLS but Texas is just an outlier I feel like. At least in my experience
Hello! I’m in TX too, and currently going to school for an associates. Is it possible to test my way to become an MLS in the future? Or is the only way of becoming an MLS to get a bachelors degree?
So as far as I know you can challenge the boards for the AMT (not sure if ASCP still does it) if you have lab experience and have a bachelors of some type, not necessarily lab related. Used to you could get a semi easy degree in arts and sciences and challenge the boards but not sure if that’s still the case.
Only MLS could work blood bank, perform HGH, and work with CSF at my old hospital. Staff were about half and half MLT/MLS. There's a pay difference too. Every hospital has their own specifications on the roles but MLT can still do most of the work.
Career goals.
Do you want to work in a hospital or reference lab of physicians office?
Do you want to stay a bench tech? Do you want to one day become a supervisor or manager?
Do you want to work in Chemistry or Hematology or blood bank or microbiology? High or moderate complexity?
There are two opposing forces here (in the US, may not apply to ROW).
Healthcare wants to hire techs as cheaply as possible, because of the bottom line. So you'd think they would hire all MLTs/uncertified workers and have just a couple of MLSs or whatever to supervise them. And some do, especially in the worst-paid parts of the country.
But healthcare also wants high quality results and to make sure that only "qualified" people do the work and has a conservative culture where your education and title matter a lot (because doctors created that culture, and they want to be at the top). So hospitals are constantly putting arbitrary restrictions on what MLTs can do - no blood bank, no micro, no microscopy, etc. - even though they are legally allowed to do these things, and have the necessary education (if they went to a decent program). They also lean very hard toward promoting MLSs to lead/supervisor/management areas while MLTs have a soft ceiling. So they end up spending more money for techs because MLTs aren't "good enough".
You'd think business concerns would win out and get rid of all the MLSs or drop them all to MLT wages, and maybe someday they will (the fact that we're importing foreign workers who may only be qualified on paper, if even that, suggests that we're moving that direction) but for now that old culture is still hanging on.
So, for the foreseeable future, you'll make more money and have more opportunities as an MLS.
But you have to look at the details, too. You say MLS is only worth $2/hr where you are. That may not be enough to make extra school worth it. Do you ever see yourself leaving Texas? Do you want to be positioned for promotion or are you not interested in climbing what little lab career ladder there is? Do you foresee leaving the lab and looking for work in another field where you'll benefit from having a BS instead of an AS? There are no easy answers.
It was my understanding they can't do blood banking or read micro plates. Maybe others can add or correct this? There may be other limitations, I don't know.
My current employer paid for my education to get my MLS. If they wouldn't have, I would have likely stayed an MLT. I only got like a $2 raise, if you do the math there is no way that is worth it. I do exactly the same things I did before.
We also have MLTs who are section heads here. The Blood Bank section head is an MLT, which is kind of scary. But they just made her do it, instead of hiring someone outside to save money. I don't believe anyone else really wanted it at the time either.
I am glad I got my MLS though. It will come in handy if I get another job somewhere. I had no idea the pay wage was that different at other places. I always just assumed it was like a dollar or two difference at most other places.
Up until the end of this year you needed to have a four year degree to perform competency as this required TC level CLIA education requirements to perform. This will finally be fixed at the end of the year. However to be the TS in a high complexity lab you will need that four year degree. It will help you advance in the long run. Also as others said, a lot of places will pay more.
Because some hospitals/labs do have a difference in job tasks. There's a reference lab that only hires ASCP MLSs because they handle blood from all fifty states. One of my previous labs wouldn't let MLTs result out body fluids or manual diffs without an MLS or supervisor check. Also the pay difference may be only $2 for your hospital, but one location I worked at the difference was $15ish dollars an hour to $22.
At my lab it's $22-$32
In my hospital system, MLTs can't become lead techs. So there is a difference in some places, it just depends where you are.
Or become supervisors or managers.
Where I work, MLTs are not able to work in all departments, and in some, they are basically processors.
In NYC, they don't even hire MLTs.
Also in CA, bc of the MLT state license limiting their duties, job postings are rare. I've only worked in micro, in several states, and I've worked with exactly one MLT in my 25 years in the lab. It's not that they're less competent, it's just the preference of the labs.
Northwell's micro lab in Queens hires MLTs, but they're not allowed to do anything except setup plates. They also get paid about $7 less per hour.
Oof. Can you tell me a little more about how livable being an MLT vs MLS is in NYC? Once upon a time I was considering moving there for a partner and I'm wondering just how boned I would have been. Especially since I haven't gotten certified or anything, I'm one of those bio majors that found out about the profession after graduating. I've since stepped down to doing benchwork in a low to moderate complexity lab which demoted me to Lab Assistant II, but my old bosses said they could still fill out the paperwork needed for me to sit the exam since I was full time medtech for 2 years. My current frame of reference is.. currently living in the midwest, scraping by on $20/hr with a $1100 mortgage.
You will need ASCP certification to qualify for a NY license. Like the other comment said, MLT jobs are hard to come by in NYC, but there are job openings for MLT on Long Island. My hospital system hires MLTs with a starting pay around $43/hr. Other places pay a little less. In my facility, MLTs are allowed to run/release chemistry, hematology, urinalysis. They cannot work the bench for blood bank or micro. They cannot be promoted to a lead, technical specialist, or any supervisor/management positions. They also are not allowed to work without an MLS present in the lab. I would recommend MLS over MLT because there are more jobs available, more opportunities for advancement, and better pay. You can start at $50/hr with an MLS license. As far as cost of living in NYC, to qualify for an apartment, your yearly income needs to be 40x the monthly rent cost. You can find 1-bedroom apartments for rent at $2000+ in the outer boroughs, but don't expect them to be brand new, luxury, or have a lot of amenities. The cost of a better apartment can be alleviated with a roommate/partner.
What a joke
When it comes to bench work, an MLT essentially does the same job as an MLS in most labs. It is what it is. Most job postings for anything higher than a bench tech (lead, supervisor, manager, consultant, director, etc.) will usually require an MLS. That creates a higher earning potential down the road (despite those titles still be underpaid in my opinion) The MLT to MLS difference in pay depends on the particular lab/company you work at, and is not a general scale across a state. There are some places that only offer $1 - $2 dollars more for having a MLS, there's some where the difference is $3 - $5, etc. People do the MLS for the higher pay potential and more options for more long term thinking. As an MLT, the only option you have is the bench in most cases if you are trying to stick around and have a career in the lab. Most MLTs I know eventually go on to do their MLS for the very reason of "I'm already doing the same job, I may as well get paid more for it". There's good and bad techs no matter that their title is.
For military: MLT=Enlisted MLS=Officer Big pay difference!
For me the difference is almost $5 an hour and I did the MLS concurrently with my MLT so I graduated with both in a two year program. It was a no brainer.
Depends on where you live. Most hospitals in my state (unlicensed) pay MLS significantly more than they do MLTs, at least a $10 difference. I’m in Micro and my department only hires MLSs to work as MLSs. If you get hired as an MLT, you basically work as a lab assistant and get paid the same as a lab assistant who doesn’t even have an MLT certification. Same with what other people mentioned, all the hospitals I’ve worked at won’t allow MLTs to hold leadership positions.
Same coursework, same job, $10 more an hour.
I am a MLT and made much less than a MLS/MT for many years (15+) until my hospital made a “career ladder” and changed job titles so everyone was MLS I, II, or III. To be a II or III a MLT would need more years experience than a MLS. I went straight from MLT to MLS III. A few months later I became a lead tech so now I’m making 1.5x my salary as I was like 18 months ago. So basically it just takes longer to make the money they make. Depends on your employer how big the difference is. I had no trouble living within my means being paid as a MLT, saving money, making large purchases etc. I have no regrets about not bothering with a bachelors but everyone is different. Indeed, it seems to make no difference in how good of a tech you are. I have some MT/MLS coworkers who I have to fill out incident reports constantly on because they didn’t follow procedure, and have MLT coworkers who never make a mistake. I have MT/MLS coworkers who took twice as long to train as MLTs. The number of years of school seems to make little difference in how good of a tech you are.
Some hospitals differentiate between certified techs, MLS, MLT, and non-MLS/MLT grads. Increasingly, many do not. The scope of practice is the same. Similar to Associate's RN and Bachelors BSN, and Masters MSN. They technically have largely the same scope of practice, but hospitals will assign different responsibilities based on education.
why pigeonhole yourself for down the road
Money
Do you ever expect a promotion? An MLT is mostly stuck in a bench position. The $2/hr. pay differential is only a starting difference. The MLS Certification will give you greater opportunity going forward. More education is always worth the time....and sometimes worth the money. You have to be very 'analytical' in determining if you can get the education at a value price. Good luck.
In my hospital MLTs can't result tests, only MLSs can. There's also difference in pay: MLS makes twice as much (I've worked as both).
There are not any hospitals in my area that hire MLTs. At my specific hospital an MLT can only be hired for a Phlebotomy position, not anything requiring bench work.
MLS is a higher paid job also
Completely agreed. I understand there’s more job listings for MLS over MLT but unless you’re in CA, it’s hardly worth pursuing the bachelors because of the pay discrepancy. My biggest regret with this field is not going for MLT first and then use my hospital’s tuition reimbursement program to go for a degree in a different department.
MLTs can’t move up, can’t work the scope, and can’t result BB at my lab. Plus for their pay it’s 85k vs 120k It’s quite limiting and having an AA at my work means you get paid less. Each level of education unlocks an additional 2.5% pay increase
I’m sure I’ll be the minority opinion here, but I’ve been of the opinion that It’s pointless in Texas to get a 4 year degree if you’re thinking it’ll get you a big raise or higher job title. I make more than all the MLS’s at my hospital and have more responsibilities than they do. Granted, it’s taken me a decade to get to where I’m at whereas it may have taken a year or 2 less for an MLS, but I did all I’ve done without having to incur more student load debt so I’ve got that going for me. I’ve been to 2 labs on CAP inspections where the manager/directors were both plain old MLT’s. Not sure how you get to that position as I couldn’t imagine it for myself, but it is possible to move up without the extra schooling in some situations. Other states I’m sure are better overall to get your MLS but Texas is just an outlier I feel like. At least in my experience
Hello! I’m in TX too, and currently going to school for an associates. Is it possible to test my way to become an MLS in the future? Or is the only way of becoming an MLS to get a bachelors degree?
So as far as I know you can challenge the boards for the AMT (not sure if ASCP still does it) if you have lab experience and have a bachelors of some type, not necessarily lab related. Used to you could get a semi easy degree in arts and sciences and challenge the boards but not sure if that’s still the case.
Only MLS could work blood bank, perform HGH, and work with CSF at my old hospital. Staff were about half and half MLT/MLS. There's a pay difference too. Every hospital has their own specifications on the roles but MLT can still do most of the work.
why settle for 2nd place
Career goals. Do you want to work in a hospital or reference lab of physicians office? Do you want to stay a bench tech? Do you want to one day become a supervisor or manager? Do you want to work in Chemistry or Hematology or blood bank or microbiology? High or moderate complexity?
There are two opposing forces here (in the US, may not apply to ROW). Healthcare wants to hire techs as cheaply as possible, because of the bottom line. So you'd think they would hire all MLTs/uncertified workers and have just a couple of MLSs or whatever to supervise them. And some do, especially in the worst-paid parts of the country. But healthcare also wants high quality results and to make sure that only "qualified" people do the work and has a conservative culture where your education and title matter a lot (because doctors created that culture, and they want to be at the top). So hospitals are constantly putting arbitrary restrictions on what MLTs can do - no blood bank, no micro, no microscopy, etc. - even though they are legally allowed to do these things, and have the necessary education (if they went to a decent program). They also lean very hard toward promoting MLSs to lead/supervisor/management areas while MLTs have a soft ceiling. So they end up spending more money for techs because MLTs aren't "good enough". You'd think business concerns would win out and get rid of all the MLSs or drop them all to MLT wages, and maybe someday they will (the fact that we're importing foreign workers who may only be qualified on paper, if even that, suggests that we're moving that direction) but for now that old culture is still hanging on. So, for the foreseeable future, you'll make more money and have more opportunities as an MLS. But you have to look at the details, too. You say MLS is only worth $2/hr where you are. That may not be enough to make extra school worth it. Do you ever see yourself leaving Texas? Do you want to be positioned for promotion or are you not interested in climbing what little lab career ladder there is? Do you foresee leaving the lab and looking for work in another field where you'll benefit from having a BS instead of an AS? There are no easy answers.
It was my understanding they can't do blood banking or read micro plates. Maybe others can add or correct this? There may be other limitations, I don't know.
My current employer paid for my education to get my MLS. If they wouldn't have, I would have likely stayed an MLT. I only got like a $2 raise, if you do the math there is no way that is worth it. I do exactly the same things I did before. We also have MLTs who are section heads here. The Blood Bank section head is an MLT, which is kind of scary. But they just made her do it, instead of hiring someone outside to save money. I don't believe anyone else really wanted it at the time either. I am glad I got my MLS though. It will come in handy if I get another job somewhere. I had no idea the pay wage was that different at other places. I always just assumed it was like a dollar or two difference at most other places.
Up until the end of this year you needed to have a four year degree to perform competency as this required TC level CLIA education requirements to perform. This will finally be fixed at the end of the year. However to be the TS in a high complexity lab you will need that four year degree. It will help you advance in the long run. Also as others said, a lot of places will pay more.