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The differences between electrical test technicians and engineering 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 test technician, becoming an engineering technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an engineering technician has an average salary of $60,273, which is higher than the $52,690 average annual salary of an electrical test technician.
The top three skills for an electrical test technician include troubleshoot, safety procedures and electrical systems. The most important skills for an engineering technician are technical support, data collection, and test equipment.
| Electrical Test Technician | Engineering Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $52,690 | $60,273 |
| Hourly rate | $25.33 | $28.98 |
| Growth rate | - | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 86,608 | 111,343 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 4 |
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.
An Engineering Technician's duties vary according to the industry or company, whether mechanical, industrial, civil, agricultural, or more. However, most of the time, the responsibilities often revolve around resolving technical issues, working with and assisting Engineers in building, assembling, designing, gathering and testing data, and conducting more manual activities. Furthermore, Engineering Technicians can specialize and work in various fields after a certain training period, closely mentored or monitored by an engineer or someone with extensive expertise.
Electrical test technicians and engineering technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Electrical Test Technician | Engineering Technician | |
| Average salary | $52,690 | $60,273 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $77,000 | Between $37,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | City of Los Angeles | Western Digital |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an electrical test technician and an engineering technician in terms of educational background:
| Electrical Test Technician | Engineering Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between electrical test technicians' and engineering technicians' demographics:
| Electrical Test Technician | Engineering Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3% | Male, 85.9% Female, 14.1% |
| 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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 9.2% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |