Cargo handler vs certified medical technician

The differences between cargo handlers and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $32,044 average annual salary of a cargo handler.

The top three skills for a cargo handler include pallets, safety policies and quality standards. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Cargo handler vs certified medical technician overview

	Cargo Handler	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$32,044	$38,859
Hourly rate	$15.41	$18.68
Growth rate	6%	5%
Number of jobs	59,142	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	40	44
Years of experience	-	12

What does a cargo handler do?

A cargo handler usually works for airline companies and airports where they are primarily in charge of moving baggage and other cargo, ensuring that they reach their destination timely and accurately. Their job entails operating forklifts or conveyor belts to transport cargo, lifting moderate to heavy packages, labeling or scanning items, and maintaining extensive records. Moreover, a cargo handler must keep an open and transparent communication line with fellow cargo handlers to ensure an accurate and smooth workflow.

What does a certified medical technician do?

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.

Cargo handler vs certified medical technician salary

Cargo handlers and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Cargo Handler	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$32,044	$38,859
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $39,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	New York	Alaska
Best paying company	Worldwide Flight Services Inc	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Technology	Health Care

Differences between cargo handler and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a cargo handler and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

	Cargo Handler	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	-	University of Connecticut

Cargo handler vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between cargo handlers' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Cargo Handler	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	40	44
Gender ratio	Male, 75.6% Female, 24.4%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	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%

Differences between cargo handler and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Cargo handler example responsibilities.

Manage temporary staff doing warehouse work and train and test them in order to receive forklift certification per OSHA.
Scan and sort packages in hazmat.
Scan the cargo in using rf scanners
Utilize RF scanner system to transfer packages onto conveyor system or trailers.
Pick up packages and letters from FedEx delivery locations for processing and shipping.
Assist units in preparing documents, certifying vehicles, HAZMAT, and other cargo for air movement.

Certified medical technician example responsibilities.

Maintain the cleanliness of storage areas, trays, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers and work area.
Administer medications to patients according to their medication record as scheduled, as needed according to physician orders.
Perform laboratory test and procedures in areas including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, serology, and bacteriology.
Perform first aid and apply CPR when necessary.
Perform first aid or CPR during medical emergencies until paramedics arrive.
Assist the residents in their ADL needs and prepare their meals.

Cargo handler vs certified medical technician skills

Common cargo handler skills

Pallets, 26%
Safety Policies, 16%
Quality Standards, 12%
Unload Trailers, 10%
FAA, 9%
Hub, 7%

Common certified medical technician skills

Patients, 17%
Vital Signs, 12%
CPR, 8%
Administer Medications, 7%
Resident Care, 6%
HIPAA, 6%

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Cargo Handler
Cargo Handler vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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