Cytotechnologist vs vascular technician

The differences between cytotechnologists and vascular technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a vascular technician has an average salary of $79,763, which is higher than the $49,566 average annual salary of a cytotechnologist.

The top three skills for a cytotechnologist include ASCP, patients and proficiency testing. The most important skills for a vascular technician are patients, ARDMS, and RVT.

Cytotechnologist vs vascular technician overview

	Cytotechnologist	Vascular Technician
Yearly salary	$49,566	$79,763
Hourly rate	$23.83	$38.35
Growth rate	-	10%
Number of jobs	39,930	20,252
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Associate Degree, 46%
Average age	44	45
Years of experience	-	2

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 vascular technician do?

Typically working together with physicians and nurses, a vascular technician specializes in performing imaging and diagnostic examinations to assess a patient's vascular health. Their responsibilities usually include gathering and analyzing patient information and medical history, operating diagnostic equipment, performing adjustments, discussing the extent of procedures to patients, and assisting them, making them feel comfortable every step of the way. Moreover, an avascular technician must produce and summarize findings, submitting them to physicians in a prompt and organized manner.

Cytotechnologist vs vascular technician salary

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

	Cytotechnologist	Vascular Technician
Average salary	$49,566	$79,763
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $95,000	Between $48,000 And $130,000
Highest paying City	Hicksville, NY	Albany, NY
Highest paying state	Alaska	New York
Best paying company	OSF HealthCare	Dignity Health
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between cytotechnologist and vascular technician education

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

	Cytotechnologist	Vascular Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Associate Degree, 46%
Most common major	Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science	Medical Technician
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Duke University

Cytotechnologist vs vascular technician demographics

Here are the differences between cytotechnologists' and vascular technicians' demographics:

	Cytotechnologist	Vascular Technician
Average age	44	45
Gender ratio	Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%	Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between cytotechnologist and vascular 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

Vascular technician example responsibilities.

Facilitate physician to help achieve ICAEL accreditation status.
Train to perform nuclear stress tests, treadmill stress echo, and ECG's.
Assist the lead echocardiographer with ARDMS certification.
Execute EKG's and procedure reports for physician's interpretation.
Handle audit request by ICAEL and maintain appropriate documentation, etc.
Initial patient vitals including ECG, weight, height and blood pressure.

Cytotechnologist vs vascular technician skills

Common cytotechnologist skills

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

Common vascular technician skills

Patients, 21%
ARDMS, 9%
RVT, 8%
Vascular Technologist, 7%
Patient Care, 6%
Test Results, 3%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Cytotechnologist
Cytotechnologist vs Vascular Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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