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The differences between low voltage technicians and fire alarm technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a low voltage technician and a fire alarm technician. Additionally, a fire alarm technician has an average salary of $42,765, which is higher than the $39,605 average annual salary of a low voltage technician.
The top three skills for a low voltage technician include hand tools, CCTV and patch panels. The most important skills for a fire alarm technician are customer service, fire protection, and NFPA.
| Low Voltage Technician | Fire Alarm Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,605 | $42,765 |
| Hourly rate | $19.04 | $20.56 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 40,465 | 44,529 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A low voltage technician is responsible for monitoring and installing low-voltage cables and systems for electronic equipment and communication devices. Low voltage technicians analyze blueprints and schematics to connect the cables safely and accurately. They also conduct repairs for defective components and faulty wirings, recommending solutions and low-cost materials with high quality according to the customers' needs and budget limitations. A low voltage technician must have excellent electrical and organizational skills, especially in performing duties with utmost adherence to safety guidelines and procedures to prevent hazards and operational delays.
A fire alarm technician is an individual who installs, operates, and maintains the fire alarm systems of a building. Fire alarm technicians must inspect and repair heat detectors and sprinkler heads as well as test the building's fire alarm systems using appropriate diagnostic programs and equipment. They are required to review electrical layout blueprints to determine whether the fire alarm systems comply with the electrical and fire safety codes. Fire alarm technicians must also communicate with clients to ensure that all fire alarm systems are installed and working properly.
Low voltage technicians and fire alarm technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Low Voltage Technician | Fire Alarm Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,605 | $42,765 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $50,000 | Between $31,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Fort Wayne, IN |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Indiana |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | Siemens |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a low voltage technician and a fire alarm technician in terms of educational background:
| Low Voltage Technician | Fire Alarm Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | Associate Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between low voltage technicians' and fire alarm technicians' demographics:
| Low Voltage Technician | Fire Alarm Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% | Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 2.1% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 4.3% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 4% |