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The differences between instrument technicians and instrument technician apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an instrument technician and an instrument technician apprentice. Additionally, an instrument technician has an average salary of $56,918, which is higher than the $39,849 average annual salary of an instrument technician apprentice.
The top three skills for an instrument technician include patients, surgical instruments and cleanliness. The most important skills for an instrument technician apprentice are hand tools, customer satisfaction, and diagnosis.
| Instrument Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $56,918 | $39,849 |
| Hourly rate | $27.36 | $19.16 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 45,965 | 130,235 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 48% | High School Diploma, 28% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
An instrument technician is an individual who is responsible for testing, repairing, and inspecting all manufacturing equipment to ensure proper operations of the machines. Instrument technicians collaborate with engineers to develop and produce equipment design and provide advice to process technicians about equipment operation. They remove defective equipment so that they can decontaminate and replace the damaged ones with new machines. They are also required by their employer to obtain certification in the field of instrumentation technology.
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 technicians and instrument technician apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Instrument Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $56,918 | $39,849 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $83,000 | Between $27,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Phillips 66 | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an instrument technician and an instrument technician apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Instrument Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 48% | High School Diploma, 28% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | - |
Here are the differences between instrument technicians' and instrument technician apprentices' demographics:
| Instrument Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 8% | 8% |