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The differences between composite technicians and certification specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certification specialist has an average salary of $45,265, which is higher than the $33,380 average annual salary of a composite technician.
The top three skills for a composite technician include hand tools, calipers and composite materials. The most important skills for a certification specialist are patients, medical terminology, and surgical procedures.
| Composite Technician | Certification Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $33,380 | $45,265 |
| Hourly rate | $16.05 | $21.76 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 24,674 | 43,565 |
| Job satisfaction | 3.5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A composite technician specializes in producing and repairing composite materials, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities include coordinating with engineers and specialists, studying designs and diagrams, operating machines and equipment, and developing strategies to optimize workflow. In a company setting, a composite technician is also in charge of producing progress reports, preparing and processing documentation, and providing technical support to staff. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with team members, adhering to the company's policies and regulations at all times.
A certification specialist is primarily in charge of conducting inspections and assessments, ensuring operations and procedures comply with certification guidelines and requirements. Although their responsibilities may vary upon their industry or organization of employment, it usually entails reviewing certification applications and system plans, arranging schedules and tests, organizing orientations, providing advice or guidance to new members of the workforce, and implementing strategies. Moreover, they also perform administrative support tasks such as processing the necessary documents, facilitating activities, and coordinating with internal and external parties.
Composite technicians and certification specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Composite Technician | Certification Specialist | |
| Average salary | $33,380 | $45,265 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $43,000 | Between $25,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lincoln, NE | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | New York |
| Best paying company | Aurora Flight Sciences | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a composite technician and a certification specialist in terms of educational background:
| Composite Technician | Certification Specialist | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Aviation | Business |
| Most common college | - | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between composite technicians' and certification specialists' demographics:
| Composite Technician | Certification Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% | Male, 26.3% Female, 73.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.9% Asian, 8.4% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 11% |