Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between fingerprint technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a fingerprint technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a fingerprint technician has an average salary of $39,867, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a fingerprint technician include customer service, citizenship and USCIS. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Fingerprint Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,867 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $19.17 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 23,737 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A Fingerprint Technician specializes in reviewing and classifying fingerprints, processing them according to their purpose. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place or employment industry, it typically includes assisting clients in fingerprinting processes, facilitating fingerprint scanning methods, utilizing software to record and organize data, and maintaining an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow. When it comes to employment, a Fingerprint Technician may work for government agencies, law enforcement, and forensic laboratories.
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.
Fingerprint technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fingerprint Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,867 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $60,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a fingerprint technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Fingerprint Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | - |
Here are the differences between fingerprint technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Fingerprint Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.8% 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 Percentage | 8% | 2% |