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The differences between programmers and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a programmer, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a programmer has an average salary of $73,007, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.
The top three skills for a programmer include java, javascript and CSS. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.
| Programmer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $73,007 | $38,859 |
| Hourly rate | $35.10 | $18.68 |
| Growth rate | -7% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 234,565 | 164,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 12 |
Computer programmers provide assistance and services concerning computer applications and software programs. A computer programmer must be highly-knowledgeable on programming languages and operating systems to create projects and fix any malfunctions under minimal supervision. Computer programmers must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to analyze data and request assistance from a senior programmer as needed. They must also be keen on details to oversee possible faulty codes, troubleshooting problems, and upgrading systems to ensure that the program will perform smoothly and efficiently.
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.
Programmers and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Programmer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average salary | $73,007 | $38,859 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $98,000 | Between $28,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bothell, WA | Denton, TX |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a programmer and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:
| Programmer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 28% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Nursing |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between programmers' and certified medical technicians' demographics:
| Programmer | Certified Medical Technician | |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 17.8% White, 64.0% 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% |