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The differences between automation engineering technicians and automation engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an automation engineering technician and an automation engineer. Additionally, an automation engineer has an average salary of $92,597, which is higher than the $89,591 average annual salary of an automation engineering technician.
The top three skills for an automation engineering technician include PLC, HMI and automation engineering. The most important skills for an automation engineer are python, java, and PLC.
| Automation Engineering Technician | Automation Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,591 | $92,597 |
| Hourly rate | $43.07 | $44.52 |
| Growth rate | 3% | - |
| Number of jobs | 81,592 | 133,941 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An automation engineer technician specializes in developing and maintaining automated systems in various industries. They are responsible for responding to reports involving complex issues, inspecting systems, troubleshooting problems, replacing or fixing parts, and maintaining extensive records. They may also perform regular maintenance checks, develop and implement test structures, perform upgrades and modifications, establish guidelines, and communicate directly with clients in an effort to solve issues and concerns. Moreover, they provide technical support to staff, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
An automation engineer takes charge of developing detailed design specifications and any other documents. Automation engineers develop automation software that is based on certain requirements for the involved process. They conform to local standards, international standards, and other process-oriented guidelines. Their duties also include the simulation and testing of automated machinery and processes. The must-have skills for this position include configuration software experience, scripting and coding expertise, certifications, and in-depth knowledge of technology.
Automation engineering technicians and automation engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Engineering Technician | Automation Engineer | |
| Average salary | $89,591 | $92,597 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $121,000 | Between $70,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Retail |
There are a few differences between an automation engineering technician and an automation engineer in terms of educational background:
| Automation Engineering Technician | Automation Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Purdue University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between automation engineering technicians' and automation engineers' demographics:
| Automation Engineering Technician | Automation Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 7.6% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 11% |