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The differences between gas turbine technicians and instrument technician apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a gas turbine technician, becoming an instrument technician apprentice takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a gas turbine technician has an average salary of $47,405, which is higher than the $39,849 average annual salary of an instrument technician apprentice.
The top three skills for a gas turbine technician include preventive maintenance, hand tools and electrical equipment. The most important skills for an instrument technician apprentice are hand tools, customer satisfaction, and diagnosis.
| Gas Turbine Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $47,405 | $39,849 |
| Hourly rate | $22.79 | $19.16 |
| Growth rate | 14% | - |
| Number of jobs | 7,931 | 130,235 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 28% |
| Average age | 48 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
Another name for a gas turbine technician is "gas turbine mechanic." They repair and carry out maintenance on gas turbine engines and mechanical apparatuses. They are responsible for operating the machine, and it is also expected that they understand both the electrical and mechanical sections of the engines. They may even have to do some basic engineering when they are called upon to repair certain parts of the machinery.
An instrument technician apprentice is responsible for performing installation and repairs on various electrical equipment and instruments such as control panels and motors, all while under the supervision and directives of a senior or master technician. Typically, their tasks revolve around conducting regular maintenance checks, coordinating with other technicians, organizing supplies, operating electrical tools, and understanding various electronic principles. Furthermore, there are also instances where one may liaise with clients to discuss the extent of damage or repairs, building positive relationships in the process to secure a client base.
Gas turbine technicians and instrument technician apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Gas Turbine Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $47,405 | $39,849 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $77,000 | Between $27,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | - | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a gas turbine technician and an instrument technician apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Gas Turbine Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | High School Diploma, 28% |
| Most common major | Engineering | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between gas turbine technicians' and instrument technician apprentices' demographics:
| Gas Turbine Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Average age | 48 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 3.3% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | 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 Percentage | 2% | 8% |