Medical sales specialist vs certified medical technician

The differences between medical sales specialists 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 medical sales specialist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical sales specialist has an average salary of $69,959, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a medical sales specialist include patients, medical devices and medical sales. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Medical sales specialist vs certified medical technician overview

	Medical Sales Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$69,959	$38,859
Hourly rate	$33.63	$18.68
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	76,398	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	47	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a medical sales specialist do?

A medical sales specialist is an individual who advertises, markets, and distributes a specific pharmaceutical product or medical equipment to medical establishments. Medical sales specialists must manage a network of independent representatives and maintain relationships with their clients to attain territory-specific sales goals. They develop marketing strategies and business sales plans to identify key growth areas and deliver short and long-term corporate objectives. Medical sales specialists should also conduct analyses on product and market trends to achieve and exceed sales goals.

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.

Medical sales specialist vs certified medical technician salary

Medical sales specialists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Sales Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$69,959	$38,859
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $102,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Medline	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Health Care

Differences between medical sales specialist and certified medical technician education

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

	Medical Sales Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Connecticut

Medical sales specialist vs certified medical technician demographics

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

	Medical Sales Specialist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	47	44
Gender ratio	Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	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	6%	8%

Differences between medical sales specialist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Medical sales specialist example responsibilities.

Demonstrate strong teamwork skills by partnering with Novartis counterparts and other pharmaceutical consultants to achieve company and individual goals.
Coordinate memory screenings working primary care and neurology practices using Eisai develop tools to increase Alzheimer's awareness.
Increase market share of cardiology, endocrinology and antibiotic products in the Chicago region.
Train and educate referral sources and patients on Medicare coverage criteria guidelines.
Market and promote dermatology products to dermatologists and allergist in Raleigh market.
Secure business from a top-rate dermatology practice that have previously establish preferred vendors.

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.

Medical sales specialist vs certified medical technician skills

Common medical sales specialist skills

Patients, 19%
Medical Devices, 12%
Medical Sales, 10%
Product Knowledge, 7%
Capital Equipment, 7%
Sales Territory, 5%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

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Medical Sales Specialist
Medical Sales Specialist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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