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The differences between manufacturing technicians and manufacturing associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a manufacturing technician has an average salary of $37,853, which is higher than the $34,830 average annual salary of a manufacturing associate.
The top three skills for a manufacturing technician include GMP, continuous improvement and hand tools. The most important skills for a manufacturing associate are basic math, cell culture, and math.
| Manufacturing Technician | Manufacturing Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $37,853 | $34,830 |
| Hourly rate | $18.20 | $16.75 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 76,490 | 55,540 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 45 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A manufacturing technician, or often called a manufacturing production technician, is an individual who is responsible for setting and testing manufacturing machinery or equipment. To set up the machines, manufacturing technicians will use electronic, electrical, mechanical, or computer technologies. They are responsible for gathering data from their part in the manufacturing process and reporting it to their production or manufacturing engineers. When handling machines or equipment, manufacturing technicians must strictly follow their health and safety procedures and protocols.
Manufacturing associates typically have varied duties and responsibilities. These include preparing materials and equipment for production, operating manufacturing equipment such as washers, and maintaining material inventory. In addition, they are responsible for inspecting purchased equipment, parts, and components, and participating in process investigations. They also review and execute documents related to manufacturing and determine any problems in the manufacturing process. To become a successful manufacturing associate, you should have skills in good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliance, aseptic processing, and biotechnology.
Manufacturing technicians and manufacturing associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manufacturing Technician | Manufacturing Associate | |
| Average salary | $37,853 | $34,830 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $52,000 | Between $26,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Framingham, MA | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Qorvo | Danaher |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a manufacturing technician and a manufacturing associate in terms of educational background:
| Manufacturing Technician | Manufacturing Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | - |
Here are the differences between manufacturing technicians' and manufacturing associates' demographics:
| Manufacturing Technician | Manufacturing Associate | |
| Average age | 45 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% | Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.1% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |