Registered physical therapist vs certified medical technician

The differences between registered physical therapists and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a registered physical therapist has an average salary of $72,910, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a registered physical therapist include patients, respiratory care and healthcare. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Registered physical therapist vs certified medical technician overview

	Registered Physical Therapist	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$72,910	$38,859
Hourly rate	$35.05	$18.68
Growth rate	17%	5%
Number of jobs	85,771	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	41	44
Years of experience	-	12

What does a registered physical therapist do?

A registered physical therapist restores a patient's function, alleviates pain, and prevents disabilities by planning and administering medically prescribed physical therapy. Their main job is to diagnose and treat patients who have health conditions that limit their ability to move and perform everyday activities. Their responsibilities include consulting with patients to learn and understand their physical conditions and administering massages to help in the healing process.

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.

Registered physical therapist vs certified medical technician salary

Registered physical therapists and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Registered Physical Therapist	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$72,910	$38,859
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $107,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Richmond, CA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Functional Pathways	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between registered physical therapist and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a registered physical therapist and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

	Registered Physical Therapist	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Physical Therapy	Nursing
Most common college	Duke University	University of Connecticut

Registered physical therapist vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between registered physical therapists' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Registered Physical Therapist	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	41	44
Gender ratio	Male, 33.8% Female, 66.2%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.3% Asian, 15.0% White, 69.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	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	12%	8%

Differences between registered physical therapist and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Registered physical therapist example responsibilities.

Manage rehabilitation department and coordinate the rehabilitation program to the facility.
Excel in ability to customize/adapt conventional physical therapy techniques to meet the specific needs of patients.
Place orders for appropriate assistive devices, orthotics and prosthetics as per patient need.
Administer rehabilitation therapies, which improve patient's mobility and movement.
Operate and supervise oscillating traction for patients depending on insurance qualification.
Evaluate patients and work closely with other clinicians for determining need for and obtaining specialize equipment and/or orthotic devices.

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.

Registered physical therapist vs certified medical technician skills

Common registered physical therapist skills

Patients, 47%
Respiratory Care, 12%
Healthcare, 8%
PTA, 7%
Rehabilitation, 6%
Home Health, 6%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Registered Physical Therapist
Registered Physical Therapist vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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