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The differences between alarm technicians and electronic security technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an alarm technician and an electronic security technician. Additionally, an electronic security technician has an average salary of $43,446, which is higher than the $42,630 average annual salary of an alarm technician.
The top three skills for an alarm technician include fire protection, work ethic and NFPA. The most important skills for an electronic security technician are troubleshoot, control systems, and CCTV.
| Alarm Technician | Electronic Security Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,630 | $43,446 |
| Hourly rate | $20.50 | $20.89 |
| Growth rate | 8% | - |
| Number of jobs | 94,813 | 73,688 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 33% | Associate Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
An alarm technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots security alarms that are used in a company or establishment. Security alarms serve to deter to thievery and break-ins. An alarm technician is responsible for ensuring that installed security alarms will always work as expected. This position requires experience as an electrician, knowledge of the common types of alarm systems, and a keen grasp of security practices.
An electronic security technician installs, configures, tests, and troubleshoot activities on intercom, intrusion alarm systems, network infrastructure, access control, and CCTV. They install and verify activities on security equipment for commissioning, testing, and installations. Besides reading and interpreting blueprints, specifications, submittals, schematics, and diagrams, electronic security technicians also keep learning about different product lines and engage in on-call service. They work hand-in-hand with clients when assessing risk and determining security requirements. Also, they maintain and repair electronic computers.
Alarm technicians and electronic security technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Alarm Technician | Electronic Security Technician | |
| Average salary | $42,630 | $43,446 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $57,000 | Between $27,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fort Wayne, IN | Milwaukee, WI |
| Highest paying state | Indiana | Maine |
| Best paying company | EMCOR Group | Emory University |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an alarm technician and an electronic security technician in terms of educational background:
| Alarm Technician | Electronic Security Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 33% | Associate Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between alarm technicians' and electronic security technicians' demographics:
| Alarm Technician | Electronic Security Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% | Male, 95.9% Female, 4.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.3% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 4.3% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |