The salaries of medical laboratory assistants vary significantly, depending on which province or territory you work in. In this blog, we have talked about this variation in salaries and how it can impact your job prospects if you opt for medical laboratory assistant diploma.
Median Salaries In Different Provinces
The low wage of a medical laboratory assistant in Canada is $18.54 per hour; the median wage is $26 per hour, while the high wage is $38 per hour, according to the Job Bank. Manitoba has the lowest starting salaries with just $16.50 per hour, while a medical laboratory assistant can expect up to $44 per hour in Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador. The data for the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon Territory is not available.
Job Prospects In 2024, 2025 and 2026
According to the Job Bank, the job prospects of medical laboratory assistants in 2024, 2025, and 2026 are very good in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The job prospects in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec are good. However, Newfoundland and Labrador has moderate job prospects during this period. The data for the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon Territory is not available.
Jobs In British Columbia
The population of British Columbia is not only growing but also aging very fast, due to which the demand for healthcare workers and other professionals is also increasing, according to the WorkBC. Moreover, a number of workers are also going to retire in British Columbia, which will also open up a number of job vacancies. According to the WorkBC, new job openings for medical laboratory assistants are also expected to increase because there is a high turnover rate as many workers first join this profession and then move forward for further training and more skilled positions.
Where Are Most Jobs In British Columbia?
Most of the current jobs for medical laboratory assistants are in the southwest of the province due to the Metro Vancouver area. Out of the total current 3,585 jobs, 64% are only in the Mainland/Southwest region of British Columbia. The second largest concentration of jobs is in the Vancouver Island/Coast region, which has 17.2% of jobs; the Thompson-Okanagan region has 10% jobs, the Cariboo region has 3.5%, the Kootenay region has 2.5%, and the Northeast and North Coast and the Nechako region have 1.5%, respectively.
Labour Market Outlook From 2023-2033 In British Columbia
The province of British Columbia expects to add 1,620 new jobs for medical laboratory assistants over the next ten years, according to the WorkBC. Similarly, most of the new jobs are expected to be generated in Mainland/Southwest regions (1,060 jobs or 65.4% of total new jobs), Vancouver Island/Coast (280 or 17.2%), Thompson-Okanagan (160 or 9.9%), Cariboo (60 or 3.7%), Kootenay (40 or 2.5%), North Coast and Nechako (20 or 1.2%), and Northeast (10 or 0.6%).
Additional Skills Are Needed In British Columbia
In British Columbia, the medical laboratory assistants are also required to complete the training to do electrocardiogram (ECGs), according to the WorkBC. This requirement is only required in British Columbia; other provinces do not require this training for medical laboratory assistants. So if someone wants to work in British Columbia as a medical laboratory assistant, then he or she will need to require additional training. To meet this requirement, Edison College has a course ‘the cardiovascular system and ECGs’ in its medical laboratory assistant diploma; just go through all the courses here.
Conclusion
Looking at the data from the job bank, we can safely conclude that the average salaries of medical laboratory assistants are good enough in most of the provinces. Especially in provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec, the job prospects are either very good or good for the years 2024, 2025, and 2026. Another interesting aspect is that those who choose this diploma usually study further to increase their incomes and growth prospects. So, if you are looking to have this diploma, you can also plan about your next move to increase your chances of continuous career growth, getting a better salary, and other benefits. This is a positive feature because it is always better to invest in education, especially if you already have options of getting other related diplomas or certifications to have further career growth. If you are interested in enrolling in this diploma, do some more research according to your city and province so that you can make your own roadmap.
Join The Medical Laboratory Assistant Diploma Program At Edison College
If you are interested in making a career as a medical lab assistant, check out Edison College’s certified medical laboratory assistant course. This 8-month diploma program can open up new doors of opportunity for you because of its reputation, especially through its relevant practicum component that links its graduates with the industry. Contact us today if you want more information about this diploma or you have any confusion about it.
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