Water plant operator vs certified medical technician

The differences between water plant operators and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a water plant operator and a certified medical technician. Additionally, a water plant operator has an average salary of $45,853, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a water plant operator include water treatment plant, plant equipment and water samples. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Water plant operator vs certified medical technician overview

	Water Plant Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$45,853	$38,859
Hourly rate	$22.04	$18.68
Growth rate	-7%	5%
Number of jobs	39,348	164,424
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	47	44
Years of experience	12	12

What does a water plant operator do?

Water Plant Operators are responsible for managing and monitoring the processes of a water treatment plant. Their duties include operating treatment plants and apparatus, cleaning screens and filters, adding chemicals, monitoring gas and water levels, taking reading as well as inspecting wastewater and water samples. They are responsible for interpreting sample analysis results, resolving technical faults from gathered data as well as organizing general maintenance and repair work. Water Plant Operators also assess chemical stock levels, hazardous conditions, and risks during their day to day work.

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.

Water plant operator vs certified medical technician salary

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

	Water Plant Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$45,853	$38,859
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $65,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Stockton, CA	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	Washington	Alaska
Best paying company	Santa Clara Valley Water District	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Energy	Health Care

Differences between water plant operator and certified medical technician education

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

	Water Plant Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	University of Connecticut

Water plant operator vs certified medical technician demographics

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

	Water Plant Operator	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	47	44
Gender ratio	Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.5%	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	5%	8%

Differences between water plant operator and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Water plant operator example responsibilities.

Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
Operate small rotating biological contractor plant that utilize activated sludge with sand filters and UV disinfection to process wastewater.

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.

Water plant operator vs certified medical technician skills

Common water plant operator skills

Water Treatment Plant, 10%
Plant Equipment, 6%
Water Samples, 6%
Lab Tests, 6%
SCADA, 6%
Water Quality, 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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Water Plant Operator vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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