Environmental chemist vs certified medical technician

The differences between environmental chemists and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an environmental chemist has an average salary of $56,956, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for an environmental chemist include data validation, GC and ms. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Environmental chemist vs certified medical technician overview

	Environmental Chemist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$56,956	$38,859
Hourly rate	$27.38	$18.68
Growth rate	6%	5%
Number of jobs	22,234	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	42	44
Years of experience	-	12

What does an environmental chemist do?

Environmental chemists are chemistry experts who conduct research or experiments about the effects of chemicals on the environment and human activities. These chemists are required to monitor the source and extent of pollution and contamination, especially the compounds that can affect human health. They are involved in the analytical testing of new products developed in the lab while ensuring the safety of their workplace by issuing safety guidelines. Environmental chemists are also required to express ideas effectively to a non-scientific audience.

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.

Environmental chemist vs certified medical technician salary

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

	Environmental Chemist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$56,956	$38,859
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $84,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Olympia, WA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	Delaware	Alaska
Best paying company	Southern California Edison	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Internet	Health Care

Differences between environmental chemist and certified medical technician education

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

	Environmental Chemist	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Chemistry	Nursing
Most common college	University of California, Berkeley	University of Connecticut

Environmental chemist vs certified medical technician demographics

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

	Environmental Chemist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	42	44
Gender ratio	Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.1% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	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 environmental chemist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Environmental chemist example responsibilities.

Manage storage of hazardous waste for compliance with RCRA regulations.
Manage and operate mobile laboratories analyzing a wide range of samples utilizing USEPA SW846 GC/MS and HPLC methods.
Achieve expertise with hydrogenations and catalysts, low temp reactions, TLC, reactions done with UV and infrare lights.
Achieve expertise with organic techniques like steam distillation, recrystallization, vacuum sublimation/distillation.
Administer various laboratory safety audits with regard to OSHA rules and regulations to maintain adherence and manage necessary corrective actions.
Conduct analysis of heavy metals in environmental soil and water samples using ICP-OES and ICP-MS

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.

Environmental chemist vs certified medical technician skills

Common environmental chemist skills

Data Validation, 8%
GC, 6%
Ms, 6%
Laboratory Equipment, 6%
ICP-MS, 5%
Environmental Samples, 5%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

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Environmental Chemist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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