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Environmental field technician vs technician

The differences between environmental field technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an environmental field technician and a technician. Additionally, an environmental field technician has an average salary of $38,450, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.

The top three skills for an environmental field technician include OSHA, data collection and HAZWOPER. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Environmental field technician vs technician overview

Environmental Field TechnicianTechnician
Yearly salary$38,450$38,045
Hourly rate$18.49$18.29
Growth rate9%1%
Number of jobs76,665596,842
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age3840
Years of experience22

What does an environmental field technician do?

An environmental field technician, often known as an environmental science and protection technician, is an individual who conducts tests on the environment and determines the impact of a potential source of pollutants. Environmental field technicians investigate pollution sources by performing testing of groundwater samples in the field. They must ensure that proper safety procedures and equipment are utilized as well as implement on-site safety procedures to individual company specifications. Environmental field technicians must also coordinate with construction management to ensure that they are following the comprehensive environmental compliance throughout the phases of construction.

What does a technician do?

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Environmental field technician vs technician salary

Environmental field technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Environmental Field TechnicianTechnician
Average salary$38,450$38,045
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $48,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Microsoft
Best paying industry-Telecommunication

Differences between environmental field technician and technician education

There are a few differences between an environmental field technician and a technician in terms of educational background:

Environmental Field TechnicianTechnician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorEnvironmental ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeDuke University-

Environmental field technician vs technician demographics

Here are the differences between environmental field technicians' and technicians' demographics:

Environmental Field TechnicianTechnician
Average age3840
Gender ratioMale, 85.5% Female, 14.5%Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage8%2%

Differences between environmental field technician and technician duties and responsibilities

Environmental field technician example responsibilities.

  • Provide contractor oversight, including monitoring of technical performance of sub-contractors managing remedial cleanup projects involving hazardous waste.
  • Complete field forms, draw sketch maps, profiles and plan view field drawings.
  • Identify and correct safety shortfalls in confine space entry, explosive atmosphere, and fall protection to ensure OSHA compliance.
  • Create sketch maps of artifact distribution, and site features.
  • Read topographic maps in addition to using hand hold and tablet base GPS units.
  • Insulate and push copper thru a chase along with ac wire and drain line.
  • Show more

Technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
  • Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.
  • Show more

Environmental field technician vs technician skills

Common environmental field technician skills
  • OSHA, 11%
  • Data Collection, 9%
  • HAZWOPER, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • GPS, 5%
Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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