Process operator vs certified medical technician

The differences between process operators 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 a process operator, 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 $37,996 average annual salary of a process operator.

The top three skills for a process operator include safety procedures, preventative maintenance and team-oriented environment. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Process operator vs certified medical technician overview

	Process Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$37,996	$38,859
Hourly rate	$18.27	$18.68
Growth rate	3%	5%
Number of jobs	83,478	164,424
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a process operator do?

A process operator's role is to supervise all production operations in a manufacturing plant or similar setting. To ensure the efficiency and safety of the workforce and the workload, a process operator must regularly conduct inspections on the manufacturing processes and provide an assessment of the employees' progress. There are also duties that involve producing reports and presentations, keeping and updating data, performing audits, and managing work schedules. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone, all while adhering and implementing the policies and regulations of the company.

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.

Process operator vs certified medical technician salary

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

	Process Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$37,996	$38,859
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $48,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Grand Forks, ND	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Alaska
Best paying company	BWX Technologies	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Health Care

Differences between process operator and certified medical technician education

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

	Process Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Connecticut

Process operator vs certified medical technician demographics

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

	Process Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.5% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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	6%	8%

Differences between process operator and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Process operator example responsibilities.

Manage distillation process to determine product specification compliance, and prepare unit for shutdown or turnaround process.
Climb ladders to inspect manholes, check temps, sometimes gather samples for lab analysis.
Demonstrate ability to perform basic math (add, subtract, multiply, divide, ratios, weights & measures).
Control product temperatures and monitor gauges.
Review FHA files for completeness and compliance.
Use of ladders, stairs, heavy lifting and temperature extremes.

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.

Process operator vs certified medical technician skills

Common process operator skills

Safety Procedures, 8%
Preventative Maintenance, 7%
Team-Oriented Environment, 7%
Ladders, 5%
Customer Service, 4%
Data Entry, 4%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

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Process Operator
Process Operator vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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