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The differences between field operators and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a field operator, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a field operator has an average salary of $42,202, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.
The top three skills for a field operator include CDL, hand tools and end loaders. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.
| Field Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,202 | $38,859 |
| Hourly rate | $20.29 | $18.68 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 81,407 | 164,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A field operator is responsible for operating heavy equipment and machinery and resolve operational system failures. Field operators analyze schematics and blueprints to assemble machine components and secure its performance stability. They also upgrade parts and systems and recommend cost-reduction resources from trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. A field operator must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills to perform troubleshooting procedures, adhering to safety procedures, and following guidelines to prevent operational hazards and manufacturing delays.
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.
Field operators and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average salary | $42,202 | $38,859 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $60,000 | Between $28,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Denton, TX |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a field operator and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:
| Field Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Business | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between field operators' and certified medical technicians' demographics:
| Field Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 1.2% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% | 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 | 2% | 8% |