What is a med technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted Expert
Elyse Zavar PhD
introduction image

A med technician is a specialist in charge of analyzing and preparing bodily fluids and blood results. Med technicians are also known or referred to as medical technologists or medical technicians. They are professionals that are highly skilled, and mostly they work in hospitals or independent laboratories. You have to collect and prepare urine blood samples for analysis.

Also, you are to examine collected samples and identify if it has any cell abnormalities. Asides from this, you are to prepare a report about your test results and findings in a detailed manner. Documentation and review of the tested data are also a part of your responsibilities. You must maintain a clean, sanitized, and safe working environment. This is being achieved by adhering to safety regulations and procedures.

To be a med technician, you necessarily do not need a college degree education as most Med technicians hold a high school diploma or GED. Med technicians make an average salary of $32,949 in a year.

What general advice would you give to a Med Technician?

E

Elyse Zavar PhDElyse Zavar PhD LinkedIn Profile

Associate Professor, University of North Texas

Prior to entering the field, gaining hands-on experience through internships and volunteer opportunities can help new professionals not only stand out in the job market, but many employers will recognize and count these as years of experience thus increasing salaries. When offered a position, research comparable salaries and do not be afraid to negotiate salary, among other benefits, when discussing a job offer.
ScoreMed TechnicianUS Average
Salary
3.5

Avg. Salary $44,523

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
8.5

Growth Rate 5%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%

Asian 10.11%

Black or African American 8.65%

Hispanic or Latino 14.49%

Unknown 5.72%

White 60.23%

Gender

female 84.83%

male 15.17%

Age - 36
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36
Stress Level
8.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
6.6

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
8.0

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Med Technician career paths

Key steps to become a med technician

  1. Explore med technician education requirements

    Most common med technician degrees

    High School Diploma

    32.2 %

    Associate

    19.4 %

    Certificate

    17.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific med technician skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Patients9.64%
    Med-Tech9.04%
    Cleanliness8.79%
    CPR8.79%
    Quality Care8.40%
  3. Complete relevant med technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New med technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a med technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real med technician resumes.
  4. Gain additional med technician certifications

    Med technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific med technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for med technicians include Medical G.A.S. Installer (Med) and Medical Assistant.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research med technician duties and responsibilities

    • Manage memory unity within facility.
    • Measure heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, blood-oxygen level and electrocardiogram information using sophisticate equipment.
    • Work hematology, urinalysis and some serology on day shift.
    • Work in all aspects of the lab including: chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, blood bank, et.
  6. Prepare your med technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your med technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a med technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Med Technician Resume templates

    Build a professional Med Technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Med Technician resume.
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  7. Apply for med technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a med technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Med Technician Job

Zippi

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Average med technician salary

The average Med Technician salary in the United States is $44,523 per year or $21 per hour. Med technician salaries range between $31,000 and $63,000 per year.

Average Med Technician Salary
$44,523 Yearly
$21.41 hourly

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How do med technicians rate their job?

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Med Technician reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Cons

Nothing


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Cons

Underpaid.. Work overload. Sometimes unorganized management. Unfairness...number one is understaffing


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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Cons

Check and changes


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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