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Assembler/tester vs wire harness assembler

The differences between assembler/testers and wire harness assemblers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assembler/tester has an average salary of $34,284, which is higher than the $30,147 average annual salary of a wire harness assembler.

The top three skills for an assembler/tester include safety rules, hand tools and test equipment. The most important skills for a wire harness assembler are hand tools, IPC, and switches.

Assembler/tester vs wire harness assembler overview

Assembler/TesterWire Harness Assembler
Yearly salary$34,284$30,147
Hourly rate$16.48$14.49
Growth rate--
Number of jobs27,50618,318
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 45%
Average age4949
Years of experience--

What does an assembler/tester do?

Assemblers or testers assemble or test complex products to attain prompt delivery schedules and customer quality. They work on products containing electronic, dual, and mechanical hydraulic systems. Their job is to operate and maintain power and hand tools, test equipment, and manufacturing machines. It is their responsibility to produce high-quality products that exceed or meet the approval agency, customer, and engineering requirements. They also interpret engineering orders, test specifications, assembly routes, and blueprints.

What does a wire harness assembler do?

Wire harness assemblers are tasked with binding wires to form wire harnesses, which are typically used in electrical systems and electronic equipment. They read electrical wiring schemes and binds wires together using sleeves, cable lacing, cable ties, and electrical conduits. They are expected to install wire harnesses, inspect them, and perform soldering as needed.

Assembler/tester vs wire harness assembler salary

Assembler/testers and wire harness assemblers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assembler/TesterWire Harness Assembler
Average salary$34,284$30,147
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $43,000Between $23,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City-Fremont, CA
Highest paying state-Arizona
Best paying company-Siemens
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between assembler/tester and wire harness assembler education

There are a few differences between an assembler/tester and a wire harness assembler in terms of educational background:

Assembler/TesterWire Harness Assembler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 45%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common college--

Assembler/tester vs wire harness assembler demographics

Here are the differences between assembler/testers' and wire harness assemblers' demographics:

Assembler/TesterWire Harness Assembler
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 67.1% Female, 32.9%Male, 47.8% Female, 52.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 11.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 2.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 10.3% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between assembler/tester and wire harness assembler duties and responsibilities

Assembler/tester example responsibilities.

  • Perform programming set ups to operate on CNC machines.
  • Help with set ups along with operating and maintaining CNC machines.
  • Operate, inspect, and troubleshoot production line machinery and/or assemblies.
  • Support engineering projects by completing rework and modifications on prototype modules and ECO's update.
  • Read and interpret blueprints and check critical dimensions by using measuring instruments including micrometers, calipers and indicators.
  • Perform small mechanical sub assemblies, gluing & cleaning optics for various laser products.
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Wire harness assembler example responsibilities.

  • Insert wires into coupling run hand crimp machine
  • Solder components for connectors and internal switchboards and panels.
  • Follow the mylar and run the wires with the connectors.
  • Used various wire specific machines to fit wiring into switches and other production products.
  • Set up and calibrate new equipment and help to troubleshoot and solve unforeseen setbacks.
  • Do wiring for power switches such as lugging, stripping, and crimping for the wires.
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Assembler/tester vs wire harness assembler skills

Common assembler/tester skills
  • Safety Rules, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Test Equipment, 7%
  • Test Results, 6%
  • Test Data, 6%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
Common wire harness assembler skills
  • Hand Tools, 10%
  • IPC, 9%
  • Switches, 8%
  • Tape Measure, 7%
  • Quality Checks, 7%
  • Mechanical Assembly, 6%

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