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The differences between field technicians and communications technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a communications technician has an average salary of $52,222, which is higher than the $37,520 average annual salary of a field technician.
The top three skills for a field technician include customer service, ladders and test equipment. The most important skills for a communications technician are customer service, rehabilitation, and hand tools.
| Field Technician | Communications Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $37,520 | $52,222 |
| Hourly rate | $18.04 | $25.11 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 123,149 | 125,698 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
A field technician is responsible for providing technical and maintenance support for the customers by area visits. Field technicians' duties include diagnosing technical problems, replacing malfunction components, upgrading systems for efficiency, running equipment tests to ensure stability, creating draft reports of performed processes, utilizing vehicles and other tools safely, following client's specifications on operating equipment, and adhering to the safety standards. A field technician must have excellent communication and decision-making skills, as well as extensive knowledge of the technological industry.
A communications technician utilizes their expertise in electronics by diagnosing issues and repairing devices ranging from cellphones, laptops, tablets, and more. They are responsible for troubleshooting and discussing the extent of malfunction with clients. Technicians diagnose the root of the problem and determine which corrective measure to take. A communications technician may work independently or as a member of a company. Most of the time, they have to consult with the clients over the pricing and kind of repairs, and then offer replacement parts.
Field technicians and communications technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Field Technician | Communications Technician | |
| Average salary | $37,520 | $52,222 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $48,000 | Between $29,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Tualatin, OR |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Washington |
| Best paying company | DCP Midstream | Pacifi |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Government |
There are a few differences between a field technician and a communications technician in terms of educational background:
| Field Technician | Communications Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between field technicians' and communications technicians' demographics:
| Field Technician | Communications Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.2% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 1% | 6% |