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The differences between line technicians and plant technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a plant technician has an average salary of $46,164, which is higher than the $39,124 average annual salary of a line technician.
The top three skills for a line technician include customer service, safety procedures and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a plant technician are preventive maintenance, ladders, and data collection.
| Line Technician | Plant Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,124 | $46,164 |
| Hourly rate | $18.81 | $22.19 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 152,694 | 146,543 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A line technician is responsible for conducting routine maintenance checks to ensure the operational efficiency of machines and equipment production. Line technicians monitor the control processes, running diagnostic tests with products and equipment, and create a comprehensive report for resolution methods. They inspect high-level machinery and observe for possible inconsistencies that may cause delays and hazards in the production, immediately notifying the management for action. A line technician must have excellent knowledge with industrial machines and the mechanical industry, as their expertise is crucial in keeping the safety and security of all production staff.
A plant technician is in charge of overseeing plant operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities include installing and upgrading machines and equipment, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, implementing solutions to vulnerable or problem areas, and developing strategies to optimize plant operations. They must also perform regular maintenance checks, conducting corrective measures and adjustments as needed. Furthermore, a plant technician must provide technical support to employees, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Line technicians and plant technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Technician | Plant Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,124 | $46,164 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $52,000 | Between $31,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Kent, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Reckitt Benckiser | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a line technician and a plant technician in terms of educational background:
| Line Technician | Plant Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between line technicians' and plant technicians' demographics:
| Line Technician | Plant Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.4% Female, 19.6% | Male, 75.4% Female, 24.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 4.2% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 2% |