57 Careers To Pursue in Medical Technology
A medical technologist assists other medical professionals by performing common procedures. To become a medical technician, you usually need at least an associate degree in medical technology, though there are many medical technology careers that require a bachelor's degree or master's degree. If you're interested in becoming a medical technician, you may want to learn more about the unique positions and what medical technologists do.
In this article, we cover what medical technology is, 57 potential careers using a medical technology degree, their average national salaries and primary duties.
What is medical technology?
Medical technology is the study of clinical laboratory procedures. Medical technicians perform common medical operations to view, diagnose and treat various conditions. Each medical technician performs different procedures based on their specialty.
47 careers in medical technology
Though these careers can all use a medical technology degree, some of them may require more education, certification or licensure. These are some careers in medical technology:
1. EEG technologist
National average salary: $21,522 per year
Primary duties: An EEG technologist operates medical technology used to track brain activity. They gather data about a patient's brain functions to diagnose and treat conditions like sleep disorders and epilepsy.
2. Clinical laboratory scientist
National average salary: $23,614 per year
Primary duties: A clinical laboratory scientist spends most of their day in the lab, testing and analyzing body fluids, blood and tissues. Once they have their findings, they report to other medical professionals who can use the information for diagnostic purposes.
3. Sonographer
National average salary: $26,565 per year
Primary duties: Sonographers work in hospitals or other healthcare settings and perform imagery testing. They use various machines, from X-ray to ultrasound, to capture images for diagnostic purposes.
Read more: Learn About Being a Sonographer
4. Home health aide
National average salary: $29,525 per year
Primary duties: Home health aids administer prescriptions, take vitals and assist their clients in doing everyday activities like grocery shopping and cooking.
Read more: Learn About Being a Home Health Aide
5. Pharmacy technician
National average salary: $30,000 per year
Primary duties: Pharmacy technicians stock and distribute medications at a pharmacy, proving assistants to the pharmacists. They locate and label medication as well.
Read more: Learn About Being a Pharmacy Technician
6. Rehabilitation technician
National average salary: $31,072 per year
Primary duties: Rehabilitation technicians help physical therapists by gathering information, performing physical therapy and aiding in patient transportation.
7. Chiropractor assistant
National average salary: $31,649 per year
Primary duties: Chiropractor assistants help chiropractors by greeting patients, answering phone calls and booking appointments.
8. Medical records specialist
National average salary: $33,334 per year
Primary duties: A medical records specialist gathers and stores data in healthcare databases. They maintain the information and ensure it stays secure.
9. Ultrasonographer
National average salary: $33,346 per year
Primary duties: An ultrasonographer uses an ultrasound machine to perform diagnostic tests on patients. They specialize in performing ultrasounds, which use high-frequency sound waves to show images from the inside of a body.
10. Optometric technician
National average salary: $33,547 per year
Primary duties: Optometric technicians assist optometrists by greeting patients, taking patient histories and educating patients about the common practices and procedures.
11. Phlebotomy technician
National average salary: $33,988 per year
Primary duties: Phlebotomy technicians collect blood, perform interviews with patients, take vitals and ensure the sanitation of the phlebotomy equipment.
12. Clinical technician
National average salary: $36,006 per year
Primary duties: Clinical technicians collect samples from patients, prepare rooms for patient intake, gather information from patients during interviews and operate medical equipment.
13. Medical assistant
National average salary: $37,037 per year
Primary duties: Medical assistants aid medical professionals by taking medical histories, educating patients about their conditions or procedures and collecting specimens from patients.
Read more: Learn About Being a Medical Assistant
14. Hospice aide
National average salary: $38,107 per year
Primary duties: A hospice aid cares for those at the end of their lives by assisting them with their daily activities and helping them manage their pain.
15. Cardiovascular technician
National average salary: $39,593 per year
Primary duties: Cardiovascular technicians work in laboratories and work with cardiovascular technology like pacemakers and defibrillators. They assist cardiologists by greeting patients and answering emergency calls.
16. Blood specialist
National average salary: $39,869 per year
Primary duties: A blood specialist treats diseases and conditions related to blood. They diagnose patients and prescribe treatment or medication.
17. Hemodialysis technician
National average salary: $40,337 per year
Primary duties: Hemodialysis is a medical procedure in which a machine filters and cleans a person's blood. Hemodialysis technicians take vitals, monitor blood flow during the hemodialysis process, prepare equipment and maintain hemodialysis equipment.
18. Ophthalmic technician
National average salary: $40,873 per year
Primary duties: Ophthalmic technicians are medical professionals who help to treat vision and eye-related conditions. They prepare rooms and equipment, perform vision exams and distribute eye drops.
19. Emergency medical technician
National average salary: $43,328 per year
Primary duties: Emergency medical technicians arrive at emergency scenes and provide immediate medical attention to injured individuals before and during transport to a hospital. They are skilled in emergency management and CPR.
20. Health information technician
National average salary: $45,211 per year
Primary duties: Health information technicians gather patient information, track treatments and respond to patient requests. They keep health care facilities organized by tracking healthcare records.
21. Massage therapist
National average salary: $45,648 per year
Primary duties: Massage therapists treat their patients by massaging tense muscles to improve their range of motion and relieve pain. They create massage therapy plans and coordinate with other medical professionals.
22. Endoscopy technician
National average salary: $45,974 per year
Primary duties: Endoscopy technicians work with a team of medical professionals to treat patients with gastrointestinal conditions. They assist physicians by greeting patients, gathering data and filing paperwork.
23. Histotechnologist
National average salary: $46,968 per year
Primary duties: A histotechnologist uses microscopes to examine tissues for indications of disease.
24. Laboratory technician
National average salary: $49,726 per year
Primary duties: Laboratory technicians organize specimens, perform tests, analyze results and conduct experiments.
Read more: Learn About Being a Lab Technician
25. Emergency room technician
National average salary: $50,595 per year
Primary duties: Emergency room technicians work in the emergency care sections of hospitals. They assist medical professionals by taking patient vitals, transporting patients and collecting specimens.
26. Mammogram technologist
National average salary: $50,797 per year
Primary duties: Mammogram technologists operate medical technology that allows them to take images of breast tissue for diagnostic purposes. They educate patients and perform mammography procedures.
27. Medical technologist
National average salary: $53,789 per year
Primary duties: A medical technologist gathers disease data by conducting tests and performing procedures to aid physicians in diagnosing and treating conditions.
Read more: Learn About Being a Medical Technologist
28. Psychology associate
National average salary: $55,659 per year
Primary duties: A psychology associate encourages positive mental health practices while managing a subgroup of patients, usually according to maturity. This means that they likely evaluate and treat either adults, adolescents or young children.
29. X-ray technician
National average salary: $56,698 per year
Primary duties: An X-ray technician operates radiology equipment, prepares x-ray rooms and provides care to injured patients during the x-ray process.
Read more: Learn About Being an X-ray Technician
30. Mental health technician
National average salary: $59,325 per year
Primary duties: Mental health technicians assist mental health professionals by administering medication, taking vitals, monitoring patients and providing support during therapy sessions.
31. Pathologist assistant
National average salary: $62,574 per year
Primary duties: Pathologist assistants aid in the study of diseases by collecting tissue samples, examining tumors and researching pathologies.
Read more: Learn About Being a Pathology Assistant
32. Anesthesia technician
National average salary: $65,608 per year
Primary duties: Anesthesia technicians assist anesthesiologists by preparing medication, ordering supplies and sanitizing equipment.
33. Dental technician
National average salary: $67,572 per year
Primary duties: Dental technicians use dental tools like molding devices and brushes to provide oral care to patients. They also file paperwork and submit orders for dental equipment like dentures and retainers.
34. Public health nurse
National average salary: $68,127 per year
Primary duties: A public health nurse educates people about communicable diseases, encouraging safe practices and testing. They may also administer medication or preventative supplies.
35. Occupational therapy aide
National average salary: $69,338 per year
Primary duties: Occupational therapy focuses on helping injured patients regain their abilities to perform daily functions. An occupational therapy aide assists patients, prepares and sanitizes physical therapy equipment and helps monitor the patient progression.
Read more: Learn About Being an Occupational Therapist Assistant
36. Surgical technician
National average salary: $69,684 per year
Primary duties: A surgical technician prepares the operating room for surgeries by cleaning and preparing equipment. They may also assist by providing surgeons with tools during the procedures.
Read more: Learn About Being a Surgical Technician
37. Cytotechnologist
National average salary: $69,873 per year
Primary duties: Cytotechnologists study and examine cells to determine if they have pre-cancerous indications. They typically work with other medical professionals like pathologists.
38. Infection preventionist
National average salary: $70,919 per year
Primary duties: An infection preventionist works in healthcare settings and ensures medical professionals are following policies and procedures that reduce the spread of disease.
39. Physical therapist assistant
National average salary: $70,921 per year
Primary duties: Physical therapy focuses on helping patients regain their range of motion. Physical therapist assistants help the therapist plan physical therapy exercises, prepare rooms and equipment and track patient progression.
Read more: Learn About Being a Physical Therapy Assistant
40. Psychiatric technician
National average salary: $74,994 per year
Primary duties: Psychiatric technicians observe patients, track their behavior and counsel them on how to cope with their conditions or how to best perform their treatment.
41. Dental hygienist
National average salary: $78,988 per year
Primary duties: A dental hygienist assists a dentist by educating patients about dental health, cleaning teeth and examine patients for signs of gingivitis or other dental conditions.
Read more: Learn About Being a Dental Hygienist
42. MRI technologist
National average salary: $80,550 per year
Primary duties: An MRI is a test that allows medical professionals to take images of a person's internal organs for diagnostic purposes. MRI technologists administer dyes and contrast media to patients before their tests, prepare machinery and educate patients.
Read more: