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The differences between molecular technologists and medical technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a molecular technologist and a medical technologist. Additionally, a molecular technologist has an average salary of $54,483, which is higher than the $53,249 average annual salary of a medical technologist.
The top three skills for a molecular technologist include clinical laboratory, next-generation sequencing and molecular biology. The most important skills for a medical technologist are patients, clinical laboratory, and ASCP.
| Molecular Technologist | Medical Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $54,483 | $53,249 |
| Hourly rate | $26.19 | $25.60 |
| Growth rate | 8% | - |
| Number of jobs | 76,319 | 116,495 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A molecular technologist is responsible for conducting laboratory examinations for clinical trials and medical research. Molecular technologists collect laboratory samples and document scientific findings to support claims and initial theories. They also utilize various advanced laboratory equipment and machinery, requiring them to have excellent knowledge of organizational skills to prevent potential hazards and inconsistencies in results. A molecular technologist works with chemical solutions and sensitive samples, resulting in strict compliance and adherence to safety protocols and regulations.
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 technologists and medical technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Molecular Technologist | Medical Technologist | |
| Average salary | $54,483 | $53,249 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $81,000 | Between $41,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | Children's Hospital Colorado |
| Best paying industry | Education | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a molecular technologist and a medical technologist in terms of educational background:
| Molecular Technologist | Medical Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Harvard University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between molecular technologists' and medical technologists' demographics:
| Molecular Technologist | Medical Technologist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0% | Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 15.0% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 8% | 8% |