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The differences between electrical mechanical technicians and test technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an electrical mechanical technician, becoming a test technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an electrical mechanical technician has an average salary of $53,363, which is higher than the $43,171 average annual salary of a test technician.
The top three skills for an electrical mechanical technician include hand tools, control systems and preventive maintenance. The most important skills for a test technician are test procedures, test results, and hand tools.
| Electrical Mechanical Technician | Test Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $53,363 | $43,171 |
| Hourly rate | $25.66 | $20.76 |
| Growth rate | -4% | - |
| Number of jobs | 120,534 | 71,414 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 49% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
An electrical and mechanical technician specializes in the installation and maintenance of electrical systems and mechanical equipment. They may work in various industries, and they can also work as an independent contractor who provides technical services to homes and establishments. Although the extent of their duties depends on their company or industry of employment, it usually includes conducting inspections to identify issues or needs, troubleshoot problems, replace or fix systems, clean particular areas, and conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure efficiency.
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 mechanical technicians and test technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Mechanical Technician | Test Technician | |
| Average salary | $53,363 | $43,171 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $69,000 | Between $30,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Mateo, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | OMNOVA Solutions | Nokia |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electrical mechanical technician and a test technician in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Mechanical Technician | Test Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 49% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between electrical mechanical technicians' and test technicians' demographics:
| Electrical Mechanical Technician | Test Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2% | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 6% | 8% |