Med technician vs certified medical technician

The differences between med technicians and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a med technician has an average salary of $44,523, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a med technician include patients, med-tech and cleanliness. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Med technician vs certified medical technician overview

	Med Technician	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$44,523	$38,859
Hourly rate	$21.41	$18.68
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	141,154	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	38	44
Years of experience	-	12

What does a med technician do?

Typically working in hospitals or private clinics, a med technician specializes in collecting blood or bodily fluids and analyzing them through laboratory tests. The results of these tests will be a vital factor in diagnosing a patient's condition and what treatment a physician should give. Moreover, a med technician is also responsible for producing accurate reports, reviewing data, coordinating with physicians and other health care workers, maintaining a clean and sanitized work environment, and adhering to the company's safety policies and standards.

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.

Med technician vs certified medical technician salary

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

	Med Technician	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$44,523	$38,859
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $63,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Children's Hospital of Michigan	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Government	Health Care

Differences between med technician and certified medical technician education

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

	Med Technician	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Nursing	Nursing
Most common college	-	University of Connecticut

Med technician vs certified medical technician demographics

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

	Med Technician	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	38	44
Gender ratio	Male, 15.2% Female, 84.8%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.1% White, 60.2% 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	5%	8%

Differences between med technician and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Med technician example responsibilities.

Manage memory unity within facility.
Measure heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, blood-oxygen level and electrocardiogram information using sophisticate equipment.
Work hematology, urinalysis and some serology on day shift.
Work in all aspects of the lab including: chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, blood bank, et.
Perform routine hematology, coagulation, and urinalysis testing.
Supervise caregivers, administer medications, assist elderly with daily rituals, care for memory care patients.

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.

Med technician vs certified medical technician skills

Common med technician skills

Patients, 10%
Med-Tech, 9%
Cleanliness, 9%
CPR, 9%
Quality Care, 8%
Resident Care, 6%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

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Med Technician vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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