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The differences between automation leads and lead technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an automation lead, becoming a lead technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an automation lead has an average salary of $106,261, which is higher than the $90,615 average annual salary of a lead technician.
The top three skills for an automation lead include java, python and C++. The most important skills for a lead technician are java, architecture, and digital transformation.
| Automation Lead | Lead Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $106,261 | $90,615 |
| Hourly rate | $51.09 | $43.56 |
| Growth rate | - | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 36,010 | 250,590 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An Automation Lead is primarily in charge of testing and operating automated machinery in manufacturing facilities. They typically work together with automation teams, adhere to guidelines and protocols, meet project requirements, and produce progress reports. There are also instances when an automation lead may participate in conceptualizing machinery, conducting research and analyses, and addressing issues and concerns. Moreover, an Automation Lead usually works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Lead technicians are technicians who oversee the technical needs of a specific project or department. They are usually tenured employees, and their familiarity with the company's technical and technological processes, software, and hardware would be a great advantage in succeeding in their role. Lead technicians are responsible for installing, updating, and maintaining various software and hardware components in the office. They often manage a group of technicians, and they ensure that the group they manage is properly trained and well-versed on the processes of the company. Lead technicians are expected to have strong analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Automation leads and lead technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Lead | Lead Technician | |
| Average salary | $106,261 | $90,615 |
| Salary range | Between $82,000 And $137,000 | Between $67,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between an automation lead and a lead technician in terms of educational background:
| Automation Lead | Lead Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between automation leads' and lead technicians' demographics:
| Automation Lead | Lead Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.7% Female, 19.3% | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 15.1% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |