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What does an instrument technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does an instrument technician do

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.

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Instrument technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real instrument technician resumes:

  • Lead the planning and coordination of QC instrumentation and software qualification to be compliant with best practices.
  • Lead a team of 10 engineers to develop an infrare telescope that are launched on the NASA high-altitude balloonproject BRRISON/BOPPS.
  • Accomplish team sales of 464K in clinical chemistry and hematology instrumentation.
  • Adhere to safe work practices including lock out/tag out, OSHA regulations, NFPA, and NEC code regulations.
  • Clean and sterilize various surgical instruments for multiple surgery cases.
  • Skil in the installation, maintenance, electrical devices from 24 volt DC to 4160 VAC.
  • Install and program multiple types of VFD's.
  • Work with voltages from 24 ac/dc to 2400 ac.
  • Install the fieldbus (delta v) ssystem in gold mine.
  • Used electrical skills to size wires, breakers, fuses, vfd's, motors, pumps, overloads etc.
  • Update and audit maximo data for accuracy.
  • Train co-workers on NFPA 70E standards and electrical safety.
  • Work on the hydraulic system and also run tubbing.
  • Experience working with voltages ranging from DC control to 480VAC.
  • Used NEC for wire sizing and de rating for new equipment.

Instrument technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Instrument Technicians are proficient in Patients, Surgical Instruments, and Cleanliness. They’re also known for soft skills such as Math skills, Mechanical skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Instrument Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Patients, 15%

    Calibrated oxygen Assisted patients in care Collected data Performed follow up care Dispensed durable medical equipment.

  • Surgical Instruments, 8%

    Position was characterized by the ability to recognize surgical instruments and surgical instrument trays typically assembled in the applicable area.

  • Cleanliness, 6%

    Utilize ETO, Hydrogen Peroxide, and steam sterilizers in order to ensure cleanliness and sterility.

  • Hand Tools, 5%

    Disconnect and/or remove defective or unauthorized meters using hand tools.

  • Control Systems, 5%

    Tested distributed control systems, panels, racks and stand-alone modules of pneumatic, electrical, electronic and microprocessor-computer design.

  • PLC, 4%

    Conducted diagnostic and troubleshooting of equipment operated by PLC.

Most instrument technicians use their skills in "patients," "surgical instruments," and "cleanliness" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential instrument technician responsibilities here:

Math skills. One of the key soft skills for an instrument technician to have is math skills. You can see how this relates to what instrument technicians do because "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians use mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting tasks." Additionally, an instrument technician resume shows how instrument technicians use math skills: "apply knowledge of measurement science, mathematics, physics, and electronics to calibrate inspection, measurement, and test equipment. "

Mechanical skills. Many instrument technician duties rely on mechanical skills. "electronic engineering technologists and technicians must use hand tools and soldering irons on small circuitry and electronic parts to build components by hand.," so an instrument technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways instrument technician responsibilities rely on mechanical skills: "controlled and monitored electrical and electro-mechanical equipment using distributed control systems. "

Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of instrument technicians is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday instrument technician duties, as "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians write reports about onsite construction, design problems, or testing results." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed or modified computer programs for process control functions, writing directions and/or debugging programs as required. "

Communication skills. A commonly-found skill in instrument technician job descriptions, "communication skills" is essential to what instrument technicians do. Instrument technician responsibilities rely on this skill because "electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians must be able to follow instructions from engineers and others." You can also see how instrument technician duties rely on communication skills in this resume example: "installed radio communication network for mine scada system. "

See the full list of instrument technician skills

The three companies that hire the most instrument technicians are:

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Compare different instrument technicians

Instrument technician vs. Engineering associate

An engineering associate is an individual whose job duties include analysis of project plans, development of product designs, and maintenance of equipment. The engineering fields where an engineering associate can find a job include civil, mechanical, and environmental. The requirements to qualify for the position include obtaining a bachelor's degree in engineering, familiarity with a specific industry, prior work experience related to the field, and possessing strong technical skills.

We looked at the average instrument technician salary and compared it with the wages of an engineering associate. Generally speaking, engineering associates are paid $13,739 higher than instrument technicians per year.Even though instrument technicians and engineering associates are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require control systems, plc, and transmitters in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, instrument technician responsibilities require skills like "patients," "surgical instruments," "cleanliness," and "hand tools." Meanwhile a typical engineering associate has skills in areas such as "python," "java," "cad," and "c++." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Engineering associates really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $88,950. Comparatively, instrument technicians tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $70,022.On average, engineering associates reach higher levels of education than instrument technicians. Engineering associates are 7.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Instrument technician vs. Technical testing engineer

A technical testing engineer is responsible for inspecting and reporting the quality of products across the production cycle. You will thoroughly check procedures, materials, and electrical and mechanical systems to produce high-quality products for customers. Your main job is to test various components and features of the product to identify and resolve technical issues. Other duties include organizing and conducting training for junior team members, creating test environments, and identifying the root cause of technical issues.

A career as a technical testing engineer brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an instrument technician. In fact, technical testing engineers salary is $31,449 higher than the salary of instrument technicians per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Instrument technicians and technical testing engineers both require similar skills like "hand tools," "plc," and "transmitters" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real instrument technician resumes. While instrument technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "patients," "surgical instruments," "cleanliness," and "control systems," technical testing engineers use skills like "test results," "schematics," "test procedures," and "test data."

On average, technical testing engineers earn a higher salary than instrument technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, technical testing engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $93,229. Whereas instrument technicians have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $70,022.In general, technical testing engineers achieve similar levels of education than instrument technicians. They're 1.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Instrument technician vs. Cryptological technician

In the information technology industry, a cryptological technician specializes in installing and maintaining systems to ensure quality and efficiency in designs. Among their responsibilities include responding to issues and concerns, conducting inspections, troubleshooting problems, and performing corrective repairs. They may also conduct regular maintenance checks, replace or upgrade systems, and produce progress reports as needed. Furthermore, as a cryptological technician, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

An average cryptological technician eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of instrument technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to cryptological technicians earning a $9,703 lower average salary than instrument technicians.

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 is likely to be skilled in "patients," "surgical instruments," "cleanliness," and "hand tools," while a typical cryptological technician is skilled in "electronic equipment," "ctt," "technical guidance," and "computer equipment."

When it comes to education, cryptological technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to instrument technicians. In fact, they're 4.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Instrument technician vs. Electronics engineering technician

Electronics Engineering Technician helps engineers design and advance electronic devices and components, install electrical equipment, and maintain electronic systems. They usually work in product evaluation and testing. They use diagnostic and measuring devices to test, adjust, and repair equipment. They ensure customer satisfaction by minimizing downtime, correcting and troubleshooting errors. Further duties include training new technicians in troubleshooting various equipment or product, giving management performance recommendations, testing the system by setting up equipment under simulated conditions, and documenting the troubleshooting process.

Electronics engineering technicians average a higher salary than the annual salary of instrument technicians. The difference is about $10,883 per year.While both instrument technicians and electronics engineering technicians complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like hand tools, control systems, and plc, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "patients," "surgical instruments," "cleanliness," and "analyzers" are skills that commonly show up on instrument technician resumes. On the other hand, electronics engineering technicians use skills like troubleshoot, rf, lab equipment, and r on their resumes.In general, electronics engineering technicians earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,980. The highest-paying industry for an instrument technician is the manufacturing industry.electronics engineering technicians reach similar levels of education compared to instrument technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 0.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of instrument technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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