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Electronic instrument technician vs bench technician

The differences between electronic instrument technicians and bench technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an electronic instrument technician and a bench technician. Additionally, an electronic instrument technician has an average salary of $52,630, which is higher than the $41,317 average annual salary of a bench technician.

The top three skills for an electronic instrument technician include computer system, transducers and PLC. The most important skills for a bench technician are troubleshoot, PC, and windows.

Electronic instrument technician vs bench technician overview

Electronic Instrument TechnicianBench Technician
Yearly salary$52,630$41,317
Hourly rate$25.30$19.86
Growth rate--
Number of jobs40,52079,375
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 59%Associate Degree, 55%
Average age5050
Years of experience1212

What does an electronic instrument technician do?

An electronic instrument technician is responsible for choosing the best electrical instruments. They are the first to test an electronic instrument to check for any damage and conduct repairs as needed. They are also responsible for evaluating electronic instruments using different assessing systems. Maintenance of the tools used and scheduled troubleshooting is also the technician's job. They can be working inside a factory, standing for long hours, so strong stamina is needed. They can also be seen inside a retail store, so good communication skills are necessary.

What does a bench technician do?

A Bench Technician specializes in installing, maintaining, and repairing electronic equipment and machinery. Although the extent of their responsibilities primarily depends on their place or employment industry, it typically includes conducting inspections and assessments, programming and troubleshooting systems, replacing and fixing components, and producing progress reports as needed. Moreover, a Bench Technician must maintain an active communication line with co-workers while adhering to its safety standards and regulations for a safe and efficient work environment.

Electronic instrument technician vs bench technician salary

Electronic instrument technicians and bench technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electronic Instrument TechnicianBench Technician
Average salary$52,630$41,317
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $72,000Between $29,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between electronic instrument technician and bench technician education

There are a few differences between an electronic instrument technician and a bench technician in terms of educational background:

Electronic Instrument TechnicianBench Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 59%Associate Degree, 55%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityNortheastern University

Electronic instrument technician vs bench technician demographics

Here are the differences between electronic instrument technicians' and bench technicians' demographics:

Electronic Instrument TechnicianBench Technician
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 96.6% Female, 3.4%Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between electronic instrument technician and bench technician duties and responsibilities

Electronic instrument technician example responsibilities.

  • Supervise and manage several environmental ECAS annual, monthly and weekly reports in cooperation with regional CEMS manager for federal compliance.
  • Perform testing and calibration for fire and gas detection, transmitters, and all other process instrumentation.
  • Repair and calibrate (electronic and pneumatic) controllers and transducers.
  • Pull or push steel members into position while member are supported by hoisting device.
  • Assist with hoisting loads using slings, chains, shackles, hooks, cables and other rigging equipment.
  • Install PLC systems including uploading/downloading base software.
  • Show more

Bench technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead small teams in the development and installation of residential and commercial electrical and HVAC systems to include smart home systems.
  • Trouble-shoot and repair all boards to component level using oscilloscopes DMM's and spectrum analyzers.
  • Place fine pitch IC's and other parts as needed.
  • Repair pads and trace connectors on modems.
  • Repair and replace components within all iPhone models.
  • Experience reworking fine pitch devices and BGA components.
  • Show more

Electronic instrument technician vs bench technician skills

Common electronic instrument technician skills
  • Computer System, 9%
  • Transducers, 7%
  • PLC, 7%
  • Transmitters, 7%
  • Control Systems, 5%
  • Electrical Systems, 5%
Common bench technician skills
  • Troubleshoot, 13%
  • PC, 8%
  • Windows, 6%
  • Circuit Boards, 6%
  • Test Equipment, 5%
  • Component Level Repair, 4%

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