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The differences between automation engineering technicians and quality control technicians 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 a quality control technician. Additionally, an automation engineering technician has an average salary of $89,591, which is higher than the $40,337 average annual salary of a quality control technician.
The top three skills for an automation engineering technician include PLC, HMI and automation engineering. The most important skills for a quality control technician are lab equipment, quality control tests, and test results.
| Automation Engineering Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $89,591 | $40,337 |
| Hourly rate | $43.07 | $19.39 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 81,592 | 98,407 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| 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.
Usually assigned in a manufacturing plant, a quality control technician's role focuses on testing and assessing materials before, after, and during a production process to ensure its efficiency. They also have responsibilities in implementing the policies and regulations of the company, all to maintain a safe and productive working environment for every employee. Furthermore, a quality control technician must produce necessary reports and documentation, coordinate with managers and supervisors, maintain accurate documentation, and oversee a team to secure quality standard outcomes.
Automation engineering technicians and quality control technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Engineering Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Average salary | $89,591 | $40,337 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $121,000 | Between $31,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | - | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | - | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an automation engineering technician and a quality control technician in terms of educational background:
| Automation Engineering Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Biology |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between automation engineering technicians' and quality control technicians' demographics:
| Automation Engineering Technician | Quality Control Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% | Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9% |
| 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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |