Manufacturing operator vs certified medical technician

The differences between manufacturing 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 manufacturing 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 $34,457 average annual salary of a manufacturing operator.

The top three skills for a manufacturing operator include basic math, GMP and math. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Manufacturing operator vs certified medical technician overview

	Manufacturing Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$34,457	$38,859
Hourly rate	$16.57	$18.68
Growth rate	2%	5%
Number of jobs	97,656	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a manufacturing operator do?

A manufacturing operator is primarily responsible for overseeing and controlling the performance of machines and equipment, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring production operations, conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the accuracy and quality of machinery, performing corrective measures and adjustments as needed, and assessing the quality of finished products, all while adhering to deadlines and goals. Furthermore, it is vital to comply with the company's safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for everyone.

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.

Manufacturing operator vs certified medical technician salary

Manufacturing operators and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Manufacturing Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$34,457	$38,859
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $43,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Fort Collins, CO	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Alaska
Best paying company	DuPont	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Health Care

Differences between manufacturing operator and certified medical technician education

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

	Manufacturing Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Connecticut

Manufacturing operator vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between manufacturing operators' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Manufacturing Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 69.2% Female, 30.8%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 4.5% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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	6%	8%

Differences between manufacturing operator and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Manufacturing operator example responsibilities.

Manage multiple large volume fermentation tanks simultaneously.
Manage distillation process to determine product specification compliance, and prepare unit for shutdown or turnaround process.
Prepare, coats and finishes metal and/or other surfaces.
Work inside sterile production room, class 10,000 and ISO 9000.
Experience and certify in handling chemicals with proper PPE acid gear.
Follow ISO work instructions to manufacture and convert high quality polishing pads.

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.

Manufacturing operator vs certified medical technician skills

Common manufacturing operator skills

Basic Math, 8%
GMP, 8%
Math, 7%
Hand Tools, 6%
Lean Manufacturing, 5%
Safety Rules, 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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Manufacturing Operator
Manufacturing Operator vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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