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The differences between genomics scientists and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a genomics scientist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a genomics scientist has an average salary of $90,194, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.
The top three skills for a genomics scientist include data analysis, NGS and QC. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.
| Genomics Scientist | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $90,194 | $38,859 |
| Hourly rate | $43.36 | $18.68 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 51,033 | 164,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
Genomics scientists are healthcare professionals who are responsible for examining the samples of the nucleic acid of patients to identify genetic and genomic alterations that may cause inherited diseases or conditions. These scientists are required to examine cells for possible anomalies in the fetus where single-gene disorders have been identified through DNA analysis of families. They must conduct carrier testing and risk assessment for individuals who are at risk of single-gene disorders. Genomics scientists must also perform confirmation of diagnosis for patients with both inherited and acquired conditions.
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.
Genomics scientists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Genomics Scientist | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average salary | $90,194 | $38,859 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $143,000 | Between $28,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Denton, TX |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a genomics scientist and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:
| Genomics Scientist | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Biology | Nursing |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between genomics scientists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:
| Genomics Scientist | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.4% Female, 55.6% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 6.3% Asian, 11.1% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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 | 10% | 8% |