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The differences between med technicians and medication aides 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 $40,799 average annual salary of a medication aide.
The top three skills for a med technician include patients, med-tech and cleanliness. The most important skills for a medication aide are compassion, resident care, and state regulations.
| Med Technician | Medication Aide | |
| Yearly salary | $44,523 | $40,799 |
| Hourly rate | $21.41 | $19.61 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 141,154 | 275,582 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | High School Diploma, 23% |
| Average age | 38 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | 3 |
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.
A medication aide is a healthcare professional who is responsible for administering medication to patients daily in a hospital or medical facility. As certified nursing assistants, medication aides should possess knowledge of patient care procedures so that they can coordinate with different nurses to deliver them. They follow written or verbal instructions from physicians on how to manage their patients' medications. Medication aides are also required to observe their patients and document changes in their conditions.
Med technicians and medication aides have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Med Technician | Medication Aide | |
| Average salary | $44,523 | $40,799 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $63,000 | Between $33,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Madison, WI |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Children's Hospital of Michigan | Careerstaff Unlimited - A Genesis Healthcare Company |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a med technician and a medication aide in terms of educational background:
| Med Technician | Medication Aide | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | High School Diploma, 23% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between med technicians' and medication aides' demographics:
| Med Technician | Medication Aide | |
| Average age | 38 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 15.2% Female, 84.8% | Male, 15.7% Female, 84.3% |
| 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, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 7% |