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The differences between ophthalmic photographers 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 an ophthalmic photographer, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an ophthalmic photographer has an average salary of $51,409, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.
The top three skills for an ophthalmic photographer include patients, patient care and visual fields. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.
| Ophthalmic Photographer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $51,409 | $38,859 |
| Hourly rate | $24.72 | $18.68 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 2,781 | 164,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
An Ophthalmic Photographer utilizes specialized imaging equipment to take detailed eye photos, which plays a significant role in helping ophthalmologists in diagnosing and treating eye disorders. Aside from operating the camera and microscope, they also assist the clients during the procedure, helping them understand the process and instructing them on what to do, all while making them feel comfortable every step of the way. Moreover, an Ophthalmic Photographer processes the images, developing them according to standards and protocols.
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.
Ophthalmic photographers and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Ophthalmic Photographer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,409 | $38,859 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $72,000 | 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 |
There are a few differences between an ophthalmic photographer and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:
| Ophthalmic Photographer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Photography | Nursing |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between ophthalmic photographers' and certified medical technicians' demographics:
| Ophthalmic Photographer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.0% Female, 60.0% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 65.0% 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 | 11% | 8% |