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The differences between associate mechanical engineers and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an associate mechanical engineer, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an associate mechanical engineer has an average salary of $71,432, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.
The top three skills for an associate mechanical engineer include CAD, mechanical design and solidworks. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $71,432 | $38,859 |
| Hourly rate | $34.34 | $18.68 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 75,091 | 164,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
Associate Mechanical Engineers are usually entry-level mechanical engineers hired by the company. They help design and conceptualize mechanical assets, construct and install mechanical parts, and repair mechanical problems in the different machines they work with. Associate Mechanical Engineers should be licensed with specialized knowledge of the different activities involved in the role. They ensure that the model they are making is working properly. They also help out in operating machines and other mechanical equipment needed by the company. They are expected to know the science behind the different machines and the machinations at play.
Certified Medical Technicians are specialists in medical diagnoses by performing laboratory testing and analysis for hospitals and physicians. Their duties include lab sanitization to prepare for testing and collection, recording medical samples for testing, specimen preparation, blood drawing for donation and testing, and assisting physicians with sample collection as well as equipment handling in surgical rooms. They must also understand how to use complex and sensitive testing equipment such as cell counters, analyzers, microscopes, and centrifuges.
Associate mechanical engineers and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average salary | $71,432 | $38,859 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $89,000 | Between $28,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Denton, TX |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Koch Industries | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an associate mechanical engineer and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Nursing |
| Most common college | Michigan Technological University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between associate mechanical engineers' and certified medical technicians' demographics:
| Associate Mechanical Engineer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 15.7% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.0% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 8% |