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Electronics technician vs electrical technician

The differences between electronics technicians and electrical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an electrical technician has an average salary of $55,215, which is higher than the $46,660 average annual salary of an electronics technician.

The top three skills for an electronics technician include hand tools, RF and ladders. The most important skills for an electrical technician are hand tools, PLC, and electrical equipment.

Electronics technician vs electrical technician overview

Electronics TechnicianElectrical Technician
Yearly salary$46,660$55,215
Hourly rate$22.43$26.55
Growth rate--
Number of jobs83,284127,792
Job satisfaction4.5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 52%Associate Degree, 41%
Average age5050
Years of experience12-

What does an electronics technician do?

An electronics technician is responsible for the maintenance of the technology and electrical equipment to ensure its performance with the highest quality standards. Electronics technicians' duties include troubleshooting, replacing malfunction equipment components, upgrading technology and software systems, operating machines, diagnosing defects, analyzing blueprints, conducting system installations, and creating reports for technological procedures. An electronics technician must have excellent attention to detail and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to multi-task in performing tasks accurately and efficiently to deliver the best services to clients.

What does an electrical technician do?

An electrical technician is responsible for managing the electrical systems of an establishment, ensuring the safety of the network and cables to support daily operations. Electrical technicians analyze schematics and specifications to construct electrical systems, run diagnostic tests, and perform repairs for any defects and inconsistencies. They assemble electrical equipment, replace malfunctioning components, upgrading systems, and advising management of high-quality electrical supplies. An electrical technician must have excellent knowledge of the electrical and mechanical industry, especially with supervising electricians on their duties, as well as responding to the clients' inquiries and concerns.

Electronics technician vs electrical technician salary

Electronics technicians and electrical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Electronics TechnicianElectrical Technician
Average salary$46,660$55,215
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $66,000Between $37,000 And $80,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCPalo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateMontanaVirginia
Best paying companyJacobs Engineering GroupTexas Instruments
Best paying industryEnergyEnergy

Differences between electronics technician and electrical technician education

There are a few differences between an electronics technician and an electrical technician in terms of educational background:

Electronics TechnicianElectrical Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 52%Associate Degree, 41%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern University-

Electronics technician vs electrical technician demographics

Here are the differences between electronics technicians' and electrical technicians' demographics:

Electronics TechnicianElectrical Technician
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 91.4% Female, 8.6%Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%
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 electronics technician and electrical technician duties and responsibilities

Electronics technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.
  • Diagnose and troubleshoot malfunctions in electrical and electronic components.
  • Calibrate, troubleshoot and repair professional electronic test equipment: oscilloscopes, oscillators and pulse generators.
  • Utilize a wide array of test equipment including oscilloscopes, signal generators, and communications monitors.
  • Assemble electronic components onto print circuit boards with aid of PCB component location prints and engineer assembly documentation.
  • Help tutor other students in writing, math and electronics.
  • Show more

Electrical technician example responsibilities.

  • Test printed circuit boards to comply with military, ISO, and customer specifications.
  • Inspect, test and troubleshoot a variety of PLC and microprocessor control high voltage transformer systems.
  • Work in accordance with OSHA safety regulation, NEC, ANSI, ISO9001 compliance and with company safety policies.
  • Work with proximity sensors, ac & dc motors, VFDs, and controls on a daily basis here.
  • Install EMT risers in new buildings for communications.
  • Work on equipment using CNET, DNET, and Ethernet.
  • Show more

Electronics technician vs electrical technician skills

Common electronics technician skills
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • RF, 5%
  • Ladders, 4%
  • Preventive Maintenance, 4%
  • Oscilloscopes, 4%
  • PLC, 4%
Common electrical technician skills
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • PLC, 7%
  • Electrical Equipment, 7%
  • Electrical Systems, 6%
  • Electrical Schematics, 4%
  • Control Systems, 4%

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