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The differences between communications technicians and repair technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a communications technician has an average salary of $52,222, which is higher than the $41,643 average annual salary of a repair technician.
The top three skills for a communications technician include customer service, rehabilitation and hand tools. The most important skills for a repair technician are customer service, hand tools, and customer satisfaction.
| Communications Technician | Repair Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $52,222 | $41,643 |
| Hourly rate | $25.11 | $20.02 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 125,698 | 162,051 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A communications technician utilizes their expertise in electronics by diagnosing issues and repairing devices ranging from cellphones, laptops, tablets, and more. They are responsible for troubleshooting and discussing the extent of malfunction with clients. Technicians diagnose the root of the problem and determine which corrective measure to take. A communications technician may work independently or as a member of a company. Most of the time, they have to consult with the clients over the pricing and kind of repairs, and then offer replacement parts.
A repair technician's role focuses on assessing the problem or damage of a device and implementing solutions for it to function again. Although the extent of a technician's tasks will depend on the device or industry of employment, most of it revolves around troubleshooting, providing technical support, installing and writing programs, detaching and re-attaching wirings, welding, and even thoroughly discussing problems and solutions to clients. Furthermore, there are instances when a repair technician must work in a team setting that requires coordination and communication.
Communications technicians and repair technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Technician | Repair Technician | |
| Average salary | $52,222 | $41,643 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $91,000 | Between $27,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tualatin, OR | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Pacifi | SoCalGas |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a communications technician and a repair technician in terms of educational background:
| Communications Technician | Repair Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Associate Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | - |
Here are the differences between communications technicians' and repair technicians' demographics:
| Communications Technician | Repair Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% | Male, 88.3% Female, 11.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.2% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 4.6% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 2% |