Cytotechnologist vs certified medical technician

The differences between cytotechnologists and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cytotechnologist has an average salary of $49,566, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a cytotechnologist include ASCP, patients and proficiency testing. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Cytotechnologist vs certified medical technician overview

	Cytotechnologist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$49,566	$38,859
Hourly rate	$23.83	$18.68
Growth rate	-	5%
Number of jobs	39,930	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	12

What does a cytotechnologist do?

A Cytotechnologist evaluates specimens on glass slides using microscopes. They analyze fluid and tissue specimens for microscopic cellular abnormalities, such as bacterial and viral infections.

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.

Cytotechnologist vs certified medical technician salary

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

	Cytotechnologist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$49,566	$38,859
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $95,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Hicksville, NY	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	OSF HealthCare	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between cytotechnologist and certified medical technician education

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

	Cytotechnologist	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science	Nursing
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Connecticut

Cytotechnologist vs certified medical technician demographics

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

	Cytotechnologist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	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	8%	8%

Differences between cytotechnologist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Cytotechnologist example responsibilities.

Identify, verify and maintain an appropriate stock of control blocks for use in IHC staining.
Process approximately 1,200 GYN , 400 non-GYN, and 400 FNA samples per year.
Perform routine maintenance and quality control documentation for IHC staining equipment.
Process cell samples using microtomy wet tissue trimming and immunohistochemistry staining techniques.
Perform testing, training and technical supervision of all cytology and histology procedures.
Perform QC slide screening and data entry

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.

Cytotechnologist vs certified medical technician skills

Common cytotechnologist skills

ASCP, 18%
Patients, 13%
Proficiency Testing, 5%
Test Results, 5%
CLIA, 5%
Clinical Laboratory, 4%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

Cytotechnologist vs. similar jobs

Cytotechnologist related careers

Cytotechnologist related jobs

What similar roles do

Vascular Technician responsibilities

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Cytotechnologist
Cytotechnologist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs