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The differences between machine operators and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $32,874 average annual salary of a machine operator.
The top three skills for a machine operator include basic math, CNC and math. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.
| Machine Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,874 | $38,859 |
| Hourly rate | $15.80 | $18.68 |
| Growth rate | -6% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 96,834 | 164,424 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
Machine operators are responsible for managing the machines assigned to them. They set up, install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and ensure quality output. Machine operators must know the inner workings of the machine such that they can easily address any problems that may arise. They must ensure that all components of the machine are working well. They perform maintenance routine checks to ensure that the machine is working at the most efficient capacity, is well-stocked with needed materials, and producing the best output. Machine operators are also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and sanitation of the machine.
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 operators and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Machine Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,874 | $38,859 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $40,000 | Between $28,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Denton, TX |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Alaska |
| Best paying company | BD | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a machine operator and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:
| Machine Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Business | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between machine operators' and certified medical technicians' demographics:
| Machine Operator | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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% |