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The differences between electrical engineering technicians and test technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become an electrical engineering technician, becoming a test technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an electrical engineering technician has an average salary of $56,704, which is higher than the $43,171 average annual salary of a test technician.
The top three skills for an electrical engineering technician include test equipment, PLC and CAD. The most important skills for a test technician are test procedures, test results, and hand tools.
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Test Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $56,704 | $43,171 |
| Hourly rate | $27.26 | $20.76 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 133,838 | 71,414 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 12 |
An electrical engineering technician is responsible for evaluating and designing electrical systems and improving the control equipment to support business functions and operations. Electrical engineering technicians assemble and install components by analyzing blueprints and schematics accurately. They also strategize cost-reduction techniques without compromising the quality standards, requiring them to negotiate with trusted suppliers and vendors for tools and materials needed for the production. An electrical engineering technician monitors the conceptualization of layout designs until the final output launch to ensure stability and prevent downtimes.
A test technician is responsible for running multiple diagnostic tests on various tools and equipment to boost optimization and ensure its efficient performance on operations. Test technicians inspect system components and manage calibration, following clients' specifications or the business' needs. A test technician also analyzes the system's design processes and features to understand its complexities and identify necessary upgrades. Test technicians keep a record of system issues and resolutions for reference. A test technician must have excellent knowledge of the technical and mechanical industry to perform tasks and achieve the highest customer satisfaction.
Electrical engineering technicians and test technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Test Technician | |
| Average salary | $56,704 | $43,171 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $76,000 | Between $30,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Walnut Creek, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Applied Materials | Nokia |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electrical engineering technician and a test technician in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Test Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between electrical engineering technicians' and test technicians' demographics:
| Electrical Engineering Technician | Test Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |