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The differences between fire alarm technicians and alarm 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 fire alarm technician and an alarm technician. Additionally, a fire alarm technician has an average salary of $42,765, which is higher than the $42,630 average annual salary of an alarm technician.
The top three skills for a fire alarm technician include customer service, fire protection and NFPA. The most important skills for an alarm technician are fire protection, work ethic, and NFPA.
| Fire Alarm Technician | Alarm Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,765 | $42,630 |
| Hourly rate | $20.56 | $20.50 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 44,529 | 94,813 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 34% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A fire alarm technician is an individual who installs, operates, and maintains the fire alarm systems of a building. Fire alarm technicians must inspect and repair heat detectors and sprinkler heads as well as test the building's fire alarm systems using appropriate diagnostic programs and equipment. They are required to review electrical layout blueprints to determine whether the fire alarm systems comply with the electrical and fire safety codes. Fire alarm technicians must also communicate with clients to ensure that all fire alarm systems are installed and working properly.
An alarm technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots security alarms that are used in a company or establishment. Security alarms serve to deter to thievery and break-ins. An alarm technician is responsible for ensuring that installed security alarms will always work as expected. This position requires experience as an electrician, knowledge of the common types of alarm systems, and a keen grasp of security practices.
Fire alarm technicians and alarm technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fire Alarm Technician | Alarm Technician | |
| Average salary | $42,765 | $42,630 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $57,000 | Between $31,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fort Wayne, IN | Fort Wayne, IN |
| Highest paying state | Indiana | Indiana |
| Best paying company | Siemens | EMCOR Group |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a fire alarm technician and an alarm technician in terms of educational background:
| Fire Alarm Technician | Alarm Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 34% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between fire alarm technicians' and alarm technicians' demographics:
| Fire Alarm Technician | Alarm Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 4.3% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.3% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |