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The differences between clinical technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a clinical technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a technician has an average salary of $38,045, which is higher than the $35,760 average annual salary of a clinical technician.
The top three skills for a clinical technician include patients, vital signs and phlebotomy. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Clinical Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,760 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $17.19 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 161,812 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations. They also maintain medical charts, update patients' information on the database, and administer patients' medication. A clinical technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as strictly following internal guidelines and safety procedures during operations.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Clinical technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Clinical Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,760 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $48,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Brigham and Women's Hospital | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Government | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a clinical technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Clinical Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Business |
| Most common college | University of Connecticut | - |
Here are the differences between clinical technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Clinical Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 2% |