Research administrator vs certified medical technician

The differences between research administrators 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 research administrator, becoming a certified medical technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a research administrator has an average salary of $52,667, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a research administrator include research administration, customer service and principal investigators. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Research administrator vs certified medical technician overview

	Research Administrator	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$52,667	$38,859
Hourly rate	$25.32	$18.68
Growth rate	6%	5%
Number of jobs	99,798	164,424
Job satisfaction	2	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does a research administrator do?

A research administrator oversees the progress of research programs, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities mostly revolve around devising strategies to optimize processes, coordinating different departments, setting goals and objectives, managing the schedule and budgets, and maintaining records of all transactions. There are also instances when a research administrator must produce progress reports, participate in gathering surveys and feedbacks, and resolve issues promptly and professionally. Furthermore, as a research administrator, it is essential to lead and encourage team members to reach goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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.

Research administrator vs certified medical technician salary

Research administrators and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Research Administrator	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$52,667	$38,859
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $67,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Alaska
Best paying company	Kronos Incorporated	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between research administrator and certified medical technician education

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

	Research Administrator	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Connecticut

Research administrator vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between research administrators' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Research Administrator	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 65.0% 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	9%	8%

Differences between research administrator and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Research administrator example responsibilities.

Create and manage multiple computer databases using SAS and SPSS, ensuring data up-to-date and accurate.
Collect, manage and analyze preliminary data using SPSS statistical software.
Prepare complex NIH clinical research proposals involving coordination with several clinical research sites.
Assist with new patient eligibility evaluation, registration, and coordinating protocol relate care of patients enroll in clinical trials.
Train in GCP, ICH, FDA, and local regulations for drug and device trials.
Attend HIV treatment information meetings in Washington, D.C.

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.

Research administrator vs certified medical technician skills

Common research administrator skills

Research Administration, 10%
Customer Service, 8%
Principal Investigators, 7%
PIS, 6%
Pre-award, 6%
Payroll, 5%

Common certified medical technician skills

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

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Research Administrator vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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