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The differences between orthopedic technicians and clinical 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 orthopedic technician, becoming a clinical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an orthopedic technician has an average salary of $37,658, which is higher than the $35,760 average annual salary of a clinical technician.
The top three skills for an orthopedic technician include patients, traction and splints. The most important skills for a clinical technician are patients, vital signs, and phlebotomy.
| Orthopedic Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $37,658 | $35,760 |
| Hourly rate | $18.10 | $17.19 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 26,316 | 161,812 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
An Orthopedic Technician is a specialist in applying a cast to the limbs and other parts of the patient's body following an accident, orthopedic condition, or post-surgery. Duties include positioning limbs in ready positions for cast fitting, implementing appropriate casting for each case, applying braces, orthopedic splints, slings, and bandaging, and providing walking aids for patients. They are responsible for advising the patient on proper care for their casts and checking for infection signs after its removal. They are also responsible for ensuring the plaster room is neat and fully stocked with supplies and equipment. Orthopedic Technicians help in completing patient records and supervise the training of junior staff.
A clinical technician is responsible for operating and maintaining clinical equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of all laboratory tools and kits to avoid contamination during medical procedures. Clinical technicians assist the patients with their medical inquiries and needs, collecting samples for laboratory, and helping medical professionals on surgeries and other medical operations. They also maintain medical charts, update patients' information on the database, and administer patients' medication. A clinical technician must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, as well as strictly following internal guidelines and safety procedures during operations.
Orthopedic technicians and clinical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Orthopedic Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Average salary | $37,658 | $35,760 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $49,000 | Between $26,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Burlingame, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Nicklaus Children's Hospital | Brigham and Women's Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Government |
There are a few differences between an orthopedic technician and a clinical technician in terms of educational background:
| Orthopedic Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between orthopedic technicians' and clinical technicians' demographics:
| Orthopedic Technician | Clinical Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 56.2% Female, 43.8% | Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 9.3% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 8% |