Nuclear operator vs certified medical technician

The differences between nuclear operators and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a nuclear operator, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a nuclear operator has an average salary of $51,893, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a nuclear operator include electrical equipment, prototype and electrical systems. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Nuclear operator vs certified medical technician overview

	Nuclear Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$51,893	$38,859
Hourly rate	$24.95	$18.68
Growth rate	-15%	5%
Number of jobs	32,513	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	4	12

What does a nuclear operator do?

Nuclear operators are skilled professionals who are responsible for controlling the flow of electricity that is generated by a nuclear power plant. These operators are required to maintain preventive maintenance items that are essential to the safety and efficient operations of the nuclear power plant. They must use proper protective equipment and clothing since they will be performing work in radiological controlled areas. Nuclear operators must also manage multiple operators to ensure the safe operation of all primary and secondary plant systems.

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.

Nuclear operator vs certified medical technician salary

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

	Nuclear Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$51,893	$38,859
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $81,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between nuclear operator and certified medical technician education

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

	Nuclear Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	Northwestern University	University of Connecticut

Nuclear operator vs certified medical technician demographics

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

	Nuclear Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 1.5% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4%	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 nuclear operator and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Nuclear operator example responsibilities.

Manage and direct the development of the sector AOP and of proper controls to ensure program/project spending meets sector expectations.
Used schematics, wiring diagrams, and specialize test equipment to troubleshoot and locate faults down to the component level.
Serve as ship's HVAC technician for (4) 150 ton marine A/C units for 3 years.
Serve in engineering department on fast attack submarine USS Omaha
Train in QA methods and procedures to perform maintenance.
Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot the reactor and all associate reactor protection circuitry.

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.

Nuclear operator vs certified medical technician skills

Common nuclear operator skills

Electrical Equipment, 18%
Prototype, 15%
Electrical Systems, 14%
Radiological, 13%
Test Equipment, 13%
Naval Nuclear, 7%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

Nuclear Operator vs. similar jobs

Nuclear Operator related careers

Nuclear Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Nuclear Operator
Nuclear Operator vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs