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The differences between electrical specialists and electrical mechanical 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 specialist, becoming an electrical mechanical technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an electrical specialist has an average salary of $75,131, which is higher than the $53,363 average annual salary of an electrical mechanical technician.
The top three skills for an electrical specialist include electrical equipment, PLC and electrical systems. The most important skills for an electrical mechanical technician are hand tools, control systems, and preventive maintenance.
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Mechanical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $75,131 | $53,363 |
| Hourly rate | $36.12 | $25.66 |
| Growth rate | - | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 25,948 | 120,534 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 2 |
Electrical specialists use tools and construction documents to install spaces and pathways for installing low voltage wiring. They test, terminate, and install fiber optic and wire cables using special tools and procedures. Besides maintaining, troubleshooting, testing, and installing cable systems using special tools and construction documents, electrical specialists also use construction documents and unique blueprints to install data systems. Also, they install voice systems, video systems, sound distribution systems, and communication systems. Moreover, electrical specialists perform other assigned building maintenance tasks.
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.
Electrical specialists and electrical mechanical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Mechanical Technician | |
| Average salary | $75,131 | $53,363 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $104,000 | Between $40,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Occidental Petroleum | OMNOVA Solutions |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Energy |
There are a few differences between an electrical specialist and an electrical mechanical technician in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Mechanical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between electrical specialists' and electrical mechanical technicians' demographics:
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Mechanical Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 94.8% Female, 5.2% |
| 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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |