Parts associate vs certified medical technician

The differences between parts associates 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 parts associate, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a certified medical technician has an average salary of $38,859, which is higher than the $32,152 average annual salary of a parts associate.

The top three skills for a parts associate include parts inventory, customer satisfaction and inventory control. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Parts associate vs certified medical technician overview

	Parts Associate	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$32,152	$38,859
Hourly rate	$15.46	$18.68
Growth rate	-	5%
Number of jobs	23,603	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	4	12

What does a parts associate do?

A parts associate works in a parts store and is responsible for selling, identifying, and procuring parts. Working with customers, parts associates evaluate customer problems and descriptions to identify the right parts needed for replacement. These associates also maintain an inventory log and trace parts for older machines as may be required. Parts associates advise and demonstrate to clients how respective parts function, how to properly install the components on machines, and how to use them correctly.

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.

Parts associate vs certified medical technician salary

Parts associates and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Parts Associate	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$32,152	$38,859
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $38,000	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 parts associate and certified medical technician education

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

	Parts Associate	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	-	University of Connecticut

Parts associate vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between parts associates' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Parts Associate	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 77.7% Female, 22.3%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 1.7% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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	4%	8%

Differences between parts associate and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Parts associate example responsibilities.

Manage DIY services including battery installation, testing, wiper installs, etc.
Develop relationships with personnel from other Chrysler dealerships to participate in a mutually beneficial parts purchase and delivery co op.
Complete minor to extensive repair of motor cycles and ATV's.
Deliver items to customers, whether they are a dealership, bodyshop or regular customer.

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.

Parts associate vs certified medical technician skills

Common parts associate skills

Parts Inventory, 16%
Customer Satisfaction, 11%
Inventory Control, 10%
Cycle Counts, 8%
Computer System, 8%
Retail Sales, 5%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

Parts Associate vs. similar jobs

Parts Associate related careers

Parts Associate related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Sales Industry
Parts Associate
Parts Associate vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse sales jobs