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The differences between measurement technicians and instrument 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 measurement technician and an instrument technician. Additionally, an instrument technician has an average salary of $56,918, which is higher than the $48,554 average annual salary of a measurement technician.
The top three skills for a measurement technician include CAD, professional customer service and API. The most important skills for an instrument technician are patients, surgical instruments, and cleanliness.
| Measurement Technician | Instrument Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $48,554 | $56,918 |
| Hourly rate | $23.34 | $27.36 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 46,894 | 45,965 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Associate Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A measurement technician is responsible for inspecting and operating technical lines and systems of an establishment, ensuring the safety and security of electric cables and networks to prevent potential hazards that may occur during operations. Measurement technicians conduct maintenance repairs for inconsistencies and glitches using various tools and equipment, following strict safety protocols and guidelines. They also recommend cost-friendly materials with high-quality facilities and assist in replacing machinery components as needed. A measurement technician should have excellent technical and mechanical skills, as well as time-management skills to handle mechanical concerns immediately.
An instrument technician is an individual who is responsible for testing, repairing, and inspecting all manufacturing equipment to ensure proper operations of the machines. Instrument technicians collaborate with engineers to develop and produce equipment design and provide advice to process technicians about equipment operation. They remove defective equipment so that they can decontaminate and replace the damaged ones with new machines. They are also required by their employer to obtain certification in the field of instrumentation technology.
Measurement technicians and instrument technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Measurement Technician | Instrument Technician | |
| Average salary | $48,554 | $56,918 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $69,000 | Between $38,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Marathon Oil | Phillips 66 |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a measurement technician and an instrument technician in terms of educational background:
| Measurement Technician | Instrument Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Associate Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between measurement technicians' and instrument technicians' demographics:
| Measurement Technician | Instrument Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 8% | 8% |