Forensic chemist vs certified medical technician

The differences between forensic chemists and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a forensic chemist has an average salary of $56,597, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a forensic chemist include ms, GC and laboratory equipment. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Forensic chemist vs certified medical technician overview

	Forensic Chemist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$56,597	$38,859
Hourly rate	$27.21	$18.68
Growth rate	6%	5%
Number of jobs	7,902	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 a forensic chemist do?

A forensic chemist analyzes non-biological trace evidence at crime scenes for the determination of unknown materials. Forensic chemists apply chemistry and its subfield forensic toxicology and employ the scientific method to investigate the presented evidence. The result of their analysis provides investigators and medical examiners the necessary information for logical conclusions on probable crimes. Patience and versatility are often cited as the important qualities forensic chemists need to acquire.

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.

Forensic chemist vs certified medical technician salary

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

	Forensic Chemist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$56,597	$38,859
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $80,000	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

Differences between forensic chemist and certified medical technician education

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

	Forensic 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Connecticut

Forensic chemist vs certified medical technician demographics

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

	Forensic Chemist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	42	44
Gender ratio	Male, 40.6% Female, 59.4%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 18.2% White, 59.7% 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 forensic chemist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Forensic chemist example responsibilities.

Achieve and maintain ISO 9001-2000 certification by creating and implementing policies and serving as management representative.
Input data results using a LIMS information system.
Analyze controlled substances by GC/MS and FTIR and arson residues by GC/FID.
Start to implement procedures for ISO 9000quality certification.
Update existing and develop new standard operating procedures to meet USP requirements for vitamin assays.
Perform quality testing in an FDA enforce environment for a variety of products while demonstrating good manufacturing practices.

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.

Forensic chemist vs certified medical technician skills

Common forensic chemist skills

Ms, 12%
GC, 9%
Laboratory Equipment, 6%
FTIR, 6%
Gas Chromatography, 5%
Liquid Chromatography, 4%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

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Forensic Chemist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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