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The differences between electrical specialists and electrical test technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 8-10 years to become both an electrical specialist and an electrical test technician. Additionally, an electrical specialist has an average salary of $75,131, which is higher than the $52,690 average annual salary of an electrical test technician.
The top three skills for an electrical specialist include electrical equipment, PLC and electrical systems. The most important skills for an electrical test technician are troubleshoot, safety procedures, and electrical systems.
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Test Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $75,131 | $52,690 |
| Hourly rate | $36.12 | $25.33 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 25,948 | 86,608 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 10 |
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 test technician is an individual who assures the proper functioning of electrical power systems. Electrical test technicians execute tests on manufactured products. The technicians manipulate and monitor the processes and instruments used in testing the products. They perform periodic tests on equipment in service to extend service life and indicate the necessity of corrective maintenance or replacement. Also, they investigate issues associated with production.
Electrical specialists and electrical test technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Test Technician | |
| Average salary | $75,131 | $52,690 |
| Salary range | Between $54,000 And $104,000 | Between $35,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Occidental Petroleum | City of Los Angeles |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electrical specialist and an electrical test technician in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Test Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between electrical specialists' and electrical test technicians' demographics:
| Electrical Specialist | Electrical Test Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3% |
| 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% |