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Engineering technician vs quality technician

The differences between engineering technicians and quality technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an engineering technician and a quality technician. Additionally, an engineering technician has an average salary of $60,273, which is higher than the $37,007 average annual salary of a quality technician.

The top three skills for an engineering technician include technical support, data collection and test equipment. The most important skills for a quality technician are calipers, quality standards, and corrective action.

Engineering technician vs quality technician overview

Engineering TechnicianQuality Technician
Yearly salary$60,273$37,007
Hourly rate$28.98$17.79
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs111,34380,291
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

What does an engineering technician do?

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.

What does a quality technician do?

Quality systems analysts are professionals who analyze the implemented quality standards of an organization's business procedures and policies. These analysts are required to execute test plans and resolve discrepancies with their technical personnel. They must coordinate all internal audits of the quality system while implementing corrective action to their audit findings. They are required to conduct weekly meetings with development staff to discuss defects and revised business requirements. Quality systems analysts must also identify the quality training needs for operations personnel working with supervisors and quality engineers.

Engineering technician vs quality technician salary

Engineering technicians and quality technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Engineering TechnicianQuality Technician
Average salary$60,273$37,007
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $96,000Between $27,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyWestern DigitalAmphenol
Best paying industryTechnologyHealth Care

Differences between engineering technician and quality technician education

There are a few differences between an engineering technician and a quality technician in terms of educational background:

Engineering TechnicianQuality Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegePurdue UniversityPurdue University

Engineering technician vs quality technician demographics

Here are the differences between engineering technicians' and quality technicians' demographics:

Engineering TechnicianQuality Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 85.9% Female, 14.1%Male, 60.4% Female, 39.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between engineering technician and quality technician duties and responsibilities

Engineering technician example responsibilities.

  • Used Microsoft SharePoint to manage projects, web base collaboration, alerts and for document management.
  • Achieve UL certification for thermal overload protection used in motor applications.
  • Manage equipment database and organize annual equipment calibration require by internal quality control and ISO standards.
  • Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.
  • Maintain engineering lab equipment: troubleshoot and repair any faulty electronic or mechanical malfunctions, and calibrate test equipment.
  • Specialize in software and hardware engineering to military standards and project management of DoD contracts.
  • Show more

Quality technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead Kaizen events and utilize DMAIC, A3, VSM, COPQ, SIPOC, and FMEA to drive results.
  • Train test personnel and manage QC test technicians in a fast pace environment.
  • Interview, hire, and manage HEDIS temporary staff during annual HEDIS projects.
  • Manage and improve CAPA and MRB process by reducing quantity and value of material.
  • Manage RMA return process including issuance and closure of work orders and dispositions promptly.
  • Lead quality initiatives for two production lines via lean six sigma tools; root cause analysis , 8-D, and Kaizen.
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Engineering technician vs quality technician skills

Common engineering technician skills
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • Data Collection, 4%
  • Test Equipment, 4%
  • Asphalt, 4%
  • Construction Projects, 4%
  • Construction Materials, 4%
Common quality technician skills
  • Calipers, 6%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Corrective Action, 4%
  • Continuous Improvement, 4%
  • ISO, 4%
  • Micrometers, 4%

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