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The differences between lube technicians and instrument technician apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a lube technician, becoming an instrument technician apprentice takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an instrument technician apprentice has an average salary of $39,849, which is higher than the $29,959 average annual salary of a lube technician.
The top three skills for a lube technician include work ethic, customer service and hand tools. The most important skills for an instrument technician apprentice are hand tools, customer satisfaction, and diagnosis.
| Lube Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $29,959 | $39,849 |
| Hourly rate | $14.40 | $19.16 |
| Growth rate | 1% | - |
| Number of jobs | 131,008 | 130,235 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 28% |
| Average age | 40 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
A Lube Technician specializes in automotive repairs and maintenance, focusing on lubricating particular engine parts. However, Lube Technicians can also conduct necessary inspection and maintenance of vehicles, change oil or filter, replace parts such as engines and batteries, and perform tire changes or inflation. A Lube Technician usually works as a member of a team or company, so it is essential to have efficient communication, coordination, attention to detail, and build rapport with clients to establish a client-base.
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.
Lube technicians and instrument technician apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lube Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $29,959 | $39,849 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $37,000 | Between $27,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Denver, CO | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Martin Marietta | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a lube technician and an instrument technician apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Lube Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 28% |
| Most common major | Automotive Technology | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lube technicians' and instrument technician apprentices' demographics:
| Lube Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Average age | 40 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3% | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 5.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | 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 | 2% | 8% |