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The differences between principal research scientists 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 principal research scientist, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a principal research scientist has an average salary of $127,191, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.
The top three skills for a principal research scientist include research projects, principal research and data analysis. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.
| Principal Research Scientist | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $127,191 | $38,859 |
| Hourly rate | $61.15 | $18.68 |
| Growth rate | 17% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 126,911 | 164,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
Principal research scientists are responsible for designing and directing research laboratories, commencing new research activities, and searching for funding opportunities. Other duties include presenting proposals and attaining the terms of research grants and contracts, organizing, running, and reporting on original research, as well as constituting their research groups externally. These scientists usually propose, implement, and report a distinguished scientific program. The individuals appointed on this role may regularly serve as chief investigators on grants and contracts.
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.
Principal research scientists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Principal Research Scientist | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average salary | $127,191 | $38,859 |
| Salary range | Between $87,000 And $184,000 | Between $28,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Denton, TX |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Favorite Healthcare Staffing | |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a principal research scientist and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:
| Principal Research Scientist | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Nursing |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between principal research scientists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:
| Principal Research Scientist | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.7% Female, 21.3% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 26.4% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 8% | 8% |