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The differences between assembly & test technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an assembly & test technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an assembly & test technician has an average salary of $38,774, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for an assembly & test technician include mechanical assembly, aerospace and dexterity. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Assembly & Test Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $38,774 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $18.64 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | - | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 64,354 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 50 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
An assembly & test technician works at manufacturing facilities where they are in charge of assembling product components and subjecting them to various tests, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their organization of employment, it usually includes understanding diagrams and project requirements, establishing and implementing test parameters, operating tools and equipment, maintaining records, and producing detailed reports. There are also times when they must coordinate with quality control teams, working together in a joint effort to improve production processes and results.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Assembly & test technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assembly & Test Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $38,774 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $49,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Beverly, MA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | BWX Technologies | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an assembly & test technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Assembly & Test Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | - |
Here are the differences between assembly & test technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Assembly & Test Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 2% |