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Sleep technician vs technician

The differences between sleep technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sleep technician has an average salary of $50,458, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.

The top three skills for a sleep technician include patients, patient care and RPSGT. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Sleep technician vs technician overview

Sleep TechnicianTechnician
Yearly salary$50,458$38,045
Hourly rate$24.26$18.29
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs25,502596,842
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4340
Years of experience-2

What does a sleep technician do?

The sleep technician is someone who works with a physician to ensure the optimal sleep experience of people. The sleep technician's goal is to assist the physician in diagnosing the type of sleep problem of a patient. The sleep technician will help monitor the patient's vital signs, determine sleep patterns, and help execute all prescriptions and instructions of a physician. The sleep technician also works in various laboratory roles, especially in studies concerning people's sleep patterns and problems.

What does a technician do?

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Sleep technician vs technician salary

Sleep technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sleep TechnicianTechnician
Average salary$50,458$38,045
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $70,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Microsoft
Best paying industry-Telecommunication

Differences between sleep technician and technician education

There are a few differences between a sleep technician and a technician in terms of educational background:

Sleep TechnicianTechnician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Connecticut-

Sleep technician vs technician demographics

Here are the differences between sleep technicians' and technicians' demographics:

Sleep TechnicianTechnician
Average age4340
Gender ratioMale, 36.9% Female, 63.1%Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 8.8% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage10%2%

Differences between sleep technician and technician duties and responsibilities

Sleep technician example responsibilities.

  • Administer CPAP and BiPAP devices and educate patients the effective way of using and trouble shooting operate clinical devices.
  • Perform mask fitting, CPAP and BiPap set ups and titration through modification of modes and settings base on patient response.
  • Identify and troubleshoot artifact (EEG, EMG, ECG, and respiratory channels as well as the environment).
  • Have experience with running research, in hospital patient's, pediatrics and set ups for MSLT's and MWT's.
  • general floors, PFT lab and perform ECG's.
  • Maintain current CPR, a certification.
  • Show more

Technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
  • Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.
  • Show more

Sleep technician vs technician skills

Common sleep technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • RPSGT, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Patient Safety, 3%
  • Sleep Disorders, 3%
Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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