Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between molecular research technologists and medical technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a molecular research technologist, becoming a medical technologist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a molecular research technologist has an average salary of $59,138, which is higher than the $53,249 average annual salary of a medical technologist.
The top three skills for a molecular research technologist include CRISPR, lab equipment and tissue culture. The most important skills for a medical technologist are patients, clinical laboratory, and ASCP.
| Molecular Research Technologist | Medical Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $59,138 | $53,249 |
| Hourly rate | $28.43 | $25.60 |
| Growth rate | 8% | - |
| Number of jobs | 94,466 | 116,495 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A molecular research technologist works in a laboratory and performs duties to analyze samples. Molecular research technologists are responsible for collecting samples for research, testing specimens using various materials and equipment, and studying how treatments and clinical drugs affect samples. They identify issues and troubleshooting, maintain data analysis records, entering data into a lab information system, and preparing lab equipment. They should perform complex procedures with understanding and a high degree of accuracy. As molecular research technologists, their skills are in demand in genotyping involving in the genetic and molecular sugarcane breeding program.
A medical technologist's role is to conduct laboratory tests with accuracy and speed. It is their responsibility to gather, prepare, and analyze samples such as blood, tissues, and bodily fluid. The produced results will be crucial to a patient's diagnosis and further treatments. It is also essential for medical technologists to keep a precise record of data and coordinate with fellow team members and physicians to ensure the fast and efficient delivery of results. Furthermore, a medical technologist can choose to work in different establishments such as a hospital, laboratory, or private clinic.
Molecular research technologists and medical technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Molecular Research Technologist | Medical Technologist | |
| Average salary | $59,138 | $53,249 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $92,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Kansas | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Children's Hospital Colorado |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a molecular research technologist and a medical technologist in terms of educational background:
| Molecular Research Technologist | Medical Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between molecular research technologists' and medical technologists' demographics:
| Molecular Research Technologist | Medical Technologist | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.4% Female, 52.6% | Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 12.3% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 19% | 8% |