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Final test technician vs instrument technician

The differences between final test technicians and instrument technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a final test technician and an instrument technician. Additionally, an instrument technician has an average salary of $56,918, which is higher than the $45,208 average annual salary of a final test technician.

The top three skills for a final test technician include R, test procedures and quality standards. The most important skills for an instrument technician are patients, surgical instruments, and cleanliness.

Final test technician vs instrument technician overview

Final Test TechnicianInstrument Technician
Yearly salary$45,208$56,918
Hourly rate$21.73$27.36
Growth rate--
Number of jobs36,01945,965
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 55%Associate Degree, 48%
Average age5050
Years of experience1212

Final test technician vs instrument technician salary

Final test technicians and instrument technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Final Test TechnicianInstrument Technician
Average salary$45,208$56,918
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $64,000Between $38,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City-Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Phillips 66
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between final test technician and instrument technician education

There are a few differences between a final test technician and an instrument technician in terms of educational background:

Final Test TechnicianInstrument Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 55%Associate Degree, 48%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityNortheastern University

Final test technician vs instrument technician demographics

Here are the differences between final test technicians' and instrument technicians' demographics:

Final Test TechnicianInstrument Technician
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 91.3% Female, 8.7%Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6%
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 final test technician and instrument technician duties and responsibilities

Final test technician example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage windows applications for the user, maintain servers and manage help desk operations.
  • Obtain and update certificates for A+, ESD IPC and ISO certifications.
  • Perform calibration, setup, troubleshoot and test support for RMA units.
  • Test and repair printed circuit boards, RF generators, and modular parts for etching wafers.
  • Test all laser scanners, processors and accessories for proper operation including burning software onto chips to install onto circuit boards.
  • Solder diodes and components to PC boards.
  • Show more

Instrument technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead the planning and coordination of QC instrumentation and software qualification to be compliant with best practices.
  • Lead a team of 10 engineers to develop an infrare telescope that are launched on the NASA high-altitude balloonproject BRRISON/BOPPS.
  • Accomplish team sales of 464K in clinical chemistry and hematology instrumentation.
  • Adhere to safe work practices including lock out/tag out, OSHA regulations, NFPA, and NEC code regulations.
  • Clean and sterilize various surgical instruments for multiple surgery cases.
  • Skil in the installation, maintenance, electrical devices from 24 volt DC to 4160 VAC.
  • Show more

Final test technician vs instrument technician skills

Common final test technician skills
  • R, 13%
  • Test Procedures, 10%
  • Quality Standards, 8%
  • Test Equipment, 6%
  • RF, 5%
  • Laser, 5%
Common instrument technician skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Surgical Instruments, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Control Systems, 5%
  • PLC, 4%

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