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The differences between machine operator/forklift operators 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 machine operator/forklift operator, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $32,452 average annual salary of a machine operator/forklift operator.
The top three skills for a machine operator/forklift operator include safety standards, drive forklift and load trucks. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,452 | $38,859 |
| Hourly rate | $15.60 | $18.68 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 120,073 | 164,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
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.
Machine operator/forklift operators and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,452 | $38,859 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $28,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Renton, WA | Denton, TX |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | TreeHouse Foods | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a machine operator/forklift operator and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Business | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between machine operator/forklift operators' and certified medical technicians' demographics:
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 16.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 4% | 8% |