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Line technician vs service technician

The differences between line technicians and service technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a service technician has an average salary of $40,379, 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 service technician are plumbing, customer service, and preventative maintenance.

Line technician vs service technician overview

Line TechnicianService Technician
Yearly salary$39,124$40,379
Hourly rate$18.81$19.41
Growth rate6%8%
Number of jobs152,694254,533
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%Associate Degree, 29%
Average age4544
Years of experience-12

What does a line technician do?

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.

What does a service technician do?

Service technicians are assigned in the field to address the concerns of their clients. Service technicians are responsible for the installation, maintenance, or repair of different units or items related to their company's products or services. They should be familiar with their company's products so that they can properly install, maintain, or repair them. They conduct diagnostics and analysis to assess the condition of the unit they are servicing and properly address problems. They also do routine maintenance check-ups. Service technicians are expected to be trustworthy, have good analytical skills, and have good decision-making skills.

Line technician vs service technician salary

Line technicians and service technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Line TechnicianService Technician
Average salary$39,124$40,379
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $52,000Between $28,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CARichmond, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyReckitt BenckiserIBM
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between line technician and service technician education

There are a few differences between a line technician and a service technician in terms of educational background:

Line TechnicianService Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%Associate Degree, 29%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyBusiness
Most common college--

Line technician vs service technician demographics

Here are the differences between line technicians' and service technicians' demographics:

Line TechnicianService Technician
Average age4544
Gender ratioMale, 80.4% Female, 19.6%Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 1.7% White, 72.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%1%

Differences between line technician and service technician duties and responsibilities

Line technician example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish final operational checkout for conformance to customer specifications of prototype and new electronic systems including system installation on new airframes.
  • Complete paperwork on machines service, refill OSHA approve fluids.
  • Train to independently troubleshoot processing and technical issues that may arise.
  • Manufacture various lengths of wire and install them in electrical boxes for installation in HVAC units.
  • Assemble and diagnose key battery system components of HVAC, disconnects, relays, and circuit breakers.
  • Ensure proper servicing of aircraft engines and gearboxes, as well as launch and recovery of aircraft.
  • Show more

Service technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and perform the installation of HVAC equipment, air handlers, condensers, thermostats, ducts and piping.
  • Perform routine maintenance work on loaders, conveyors, trucks, and trailers.
  • Cable installation as a COMCAST subcontractor
  • Ensure ISO compliance and perform QC.
  • Service damaged smartphones, tablets, and peripherals.
  • Remove and launch boats from water using heavy equipment.
  • Show more

Line technician vs service technician skills

Common line technician skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Customer Vehicles, 4%
  • Line Tech, 4%
Common service technician skills
  • Plumbing, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • CDL, 6%
  • Patients, 6%

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