What does an instrument technician apprentice do?

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.
Instrument technician apprentice responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real instrument technician apprentice resumes:
- Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the shop.
- Train, working under ASE certification standards.
- Wire low volt and high volt generators for caterpillar.
- Unload vehicles by driving and by the use of cranes.
- Install HD brand and aftermarket, chrome and billet, parts and accessories.
- Assist other technicians and maintain shop cleanliness and various other chores and projects during downtime.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot running and driving problems with vehicles of nearly all makes and models.
- Schedule preventative maintenance on a.c. equipment, building transformers, plumbing, industrial washers and dryers.
- Operate front end loader, backhoe, some maintainer rotary sweeper and distributor for asphalt emation spray.
- Provide advice to customers in automotive maintenance and instruct them on minor and major repairs on BMW models.
- Perform engine performance repair such as no start and noise diagnosis (tapping, knocking, and pinging).
- Advance diagnostics on electrical: engine/transmission, traction control, abs systems utilizing WITECH 2.0 and CDK dealer services.
- Apply knowledge of plumbing, electrical, pneumatic controls, electronic controls, fans, pumps, and HVAC systems.
- Demonstrate the ability to carry out maintenance, install, operate, maintain, test and repair Cummins power generators.
Instrument technician apprentice skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Instrument Technician Apprentices are proficient in Hand Tools, Customer Satisfaction, and Diagnosis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Writing skills, Math skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Instrument Technician Apprentices that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 8%
Disassembled defective electrical equipment, replaced defective or worn parts, and reassembled equipment, using hand tools.
- Customer Satisfaction, 8%
Completed automotive maintenance jobs, technical repairs, and ensured for complete customer satisfaction.
- Diagnosis, 7%
Performed all diagnosis and repairs under master technician supervision.
- OSHA, 7%
Complied with OSHA, EPA and Aggreko's Safety Standards and Practices.
- Cleanliness, 7%
Maintain cleanliness of work area.Review work orders and discuss work with supervisors.
- Customer Vehicles, 6%
Performed general maintenance on customer vehicles.
Most instrument technician apprentices use their skills in "hand tools," "customer satisfaction," and "diagnosis" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential instrument technician apprentice responsibilities here:
Writing skills. One of the key soft skills for an instrument technician apprentice to have is writing skills. You can see how this relates to what instrument technician apprentices do because "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians write reports about onsite construction, design problems, or testing results." Additionally, an instrument technician apprentice resume shows how instrument technician apprentices use writing skills: "service writing/sales general maintenance and repairs maintaining a clean shop"
Math skills. Many instrument technician apprentice duties rely on math skills. "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks.," so an instrument technician apprentice will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways instrument technician apprentice responsibilities rely on math skills: "clean up trash, operate electrical tools, use basic math and measurements. "
Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for instrument technician apprentices to perform their duties. For an example of how instrument technician apprentice responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "electronic engineering technologists and technicians must use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to build components by hand." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an instrument technician apprentice: "light mechanical duties, oil changes, tires, batteries. ".
The three companies that hire the most instrument technician apprentices are:
- RelaDyne28 instrument technician apprentices jobs
- Stanley Black & Decker15 instrument technician apprentices jobs
- CarMax14 instrument technician apprentices jobs
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Instrument technician apprentice vs. Hvac installer
An HVAC installer is responsible for working on office and house appliances, including heating systems, ventilation, and air conditioning units. HVAC installers follow and analyze the item's schematics and blueprints and conduct regular maintenance to ensure the efficiency of its systems. They also advise the clients of instruction manuals, especially the proper usage and basic troubleshooting of defects. An HVAC installer must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry, as well as excellent communication skills to respond to customers' concerns and resolve complaints.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, instrument technician apprentice responsibilities require skills like "diagnosis," "osha," "cleanliness," and "customer vehicles." Meanwhile a typical hvac installer has skills in areas such as "customer service," "furnaces," "epa," and "plumbing." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Hvac installers tend to make the most money working in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $46,478. In contrast, instrument technician apprentices make the biggest average salary, $38,671, in the automotive industry.The education levels that hvac installers earn slightly differ from instrument technician apprentices. In particular, hvac installers are 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an instrument technician apprentice. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Instrument technician apprentice vs. Service and repair technician
Service and repair technicians install, maintains, or repair equipment and often travel to customer's location to provide service and maintenance. They are also known as field service technicians who have technical knowledge and skills to be able to install and conduct product testing or demo to properly instruct customers on the proper usage of the product. Also, they provide preventive maintenance procedures to prevent damage to the equipment, diagnose problems and make repairs. The job involves various services depending on the area of experience and expertise.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that instrument technician apprentice responsibilities requires skills like "hand tools," "osha," "cleanliness," and "customer vehicles." But a service and repair technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "working independently," "dishwashers," "test equipment," and "plumbing."
Service and repair technicians may earn a higher salary than instrument technician apprentices, but service and repair technicians earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $42,616. On the other hand, instrument technician apprentices receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $38,671.service and repair technicians earn similar levels of education than instrument technician apprentices in general. They're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for instrument technician apprentices in the next 3-5 years?
Instrument technician apprentice vs. Mechanical technician
The primary job of mechanical technicians is to help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture mechanical devices such as machines and engines. They typically do varied tasks, including evaluating design sketches for new and changing tools, discussing changes with colleagues, and reviewing blueprints and instructions for projects. As a mechanical technician, you are also responsible for estimating equipment life, plant space, and labor costs. To become successful in this role, you need to have an associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, excellent communication skills, and mechanical skills.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an instrument technician apprentice is likely to be skilled in "customer satisfaction," "diagnosis," "cleanliness," and "customer vehicles," while a typical mechanical technician is skilled in "preventive maintenance," "electro-mechanical," "mechanical equipment," and "first hand."
Mechanical technicians earn the best pay in the energy industry, where they command an average salary of $57,151. Instrument technician apprentices earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $38,671.mechanical technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to instrument technician apprentices. Specifically, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Instrument technician apprentice vs. Automotive service technician
Automotive service technicians, often called service technicians, have a duty to inspect, maintain, and repair cars and even light trucks. It is their job as automotive service technicians to find problems, often by computerized diagnostic equipment. They do test parts and systems to guarantee that they work properly and follow checklists to ensure that every critical part is examined. Performing basic care and maintenance is also part of their main tasks, including changing oil, rotating tires, and checking fluid levels.
Types of instrument technician apprentice
Updated January 8, 2025











