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Electronic test technician vs assembly & test technician

The differences between electronic test technicians and assembly & test 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 test technician and an assembly & test technician. Additionally, an electronic test technician has an average salary of $43,020, which is higher than the $38,774 average annual salary of an assembly & test technician.

The top three skills for an electronic test technician include RF, oscilloscopes and test procedures. The most important skills for an assembly & test technician are mechanical assembly, aerospace, and dexterity.

Electronic test technician vs assembly & test technician overview

Electronic Test TechnicianAssembly & Test Technician
Yearly salary$43,020$38,774
Hourly rate$20.68$18.64
Growth rate--
Number of jobs49,12964,354
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 60%Associate Degree, 47%
Average age5050
Years of experience1212

What does an electronic test technician do?

An Electronics Test Technician is responsible for testing and troubleshooting electronic equipment, components, and parts. As an Electronics Test Technician, you will investigate issues related to process control, SCADA systems, and instrumentation and suggest effective solutions. You will be responsible for analyzing and repairing broken printed circuit boards (PCB) and creating documentation for the testing of PCB assemblies. Other duties include compiling product reports and presenting these to the company heads, ensuring to maintain testing equipment, and performing multipoint safety inspections of products.

What does an assembly & test technician do?

An assembly & test technician works at manufacturing facilities where they are in charge of assembling product components and subjecting them to various tests, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their organization of employment, it usually includes understanding diagrams and project requirements, establishing and implementing test parameters, operating tools and equipment, maintaining records, and producing detailed reports. There are also times when they must coordinate with quality control teams, working together in a joint effort to improve production processes and results.

Electronic test technician vs assembly & test technician salary

Electronic test technicians and assembly & test technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electronic Test TechnicianAssembly & Test Technician
Average salary$43,020$38,774
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $57,000Between $30,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityBethesda, MDBeverly, MA
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companySandia National LabsBWX Technologies
Best paying industryEnergyTransportation

Differences between electronic test technician and assembly & test technician education

There are a few differences between an electronic test technician and an assembly & test technician in terms of educational background:

Electronic Test TechnicianAssembly & Test Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 60%Associate Degree, 47%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityNortheastern University

Electronic test technician vs assembly & test technician demographics

Here are the differences between electronic test technicians' and assembly & test technicians' demographics:

Electronic Test TechnicianAssembly & Test Technician
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 91.0% Female, 9.0%Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6%
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 test technician and assembly & test technician duties and responsibilities

Electronic test technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage work load for new equipment builds for PC refresh for end of lease equipment and new user setups.
  • Key interface for, DOD, NASA, FDA, IPC, and ISO inspections.
  • Perform software and hardware debugging.
  • Follow ESD procedures and written safety rules.
  • Test and troubleshoot complex wire harnesses and panel assemblies.
  • Test products to adhere to ISO 9000 and FDA regulations.
  • Show more

Assembly & test technician example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage windows applications for the user, maintain servers and manage help desk operations.
  • Perform inspections on transformers, electrical motors, and switches.
  • Test transformers and adapters using ac power source and power resistors.
  • Help transition from PLC and hydraulic actuation to current computer control equipment.
  • Apply and practice QA processes to ensure products are within tolerances and safe to deliver to clients.
  • Assist the test labs in the writing and maintenance of ISO documentation relate to product test work instructions.
  • Show more

Electronic test technician vs assembly & test technician skills

Common electronic test technician skills
  • RF, 9%
  • Oscilloscopes, 8%
  • Test Procedures, 7%
  • Test Data, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Test Results, 4%
Common assembly & test technician skills
  • Mechanical Assembly, 8%
  • Aerospace, 7%
  • Dexterity, 6%
  • Calipers, 5%
  • Test Results, 5%
  • FAA, 4%

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