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The differences between fire alarm technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a fire alarm technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a fire alarm technician has an average salary of $42,765, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a fire alarm technician include customer service, fire protection and NFPA. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Fire Alarm Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,765 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $20.56 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 44,529 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
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.
Fire alarm technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fire Alarm Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $42,765 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $57,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fort Wayne, IN | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Indiana | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Siemens | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a fire alarm technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Fire Alarm Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between fire alarm technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Fire Alarm Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 2% |