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The differences between mechanical technicians and electronics technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a mechanical technician, becoming an electronics technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a mechanical technician has an average salary of $51,367, which is higher than the $46,660 average annual salary of an electronics technician.
The top three skills for a mechanical technician include preventive maintenance, hand tools and electro-mechanical. The most important skills for an electronics technician are hand tools, RF, and ladders.
| Mechanical Technician | Electronics Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $51,367 | $46,660 |
| Hourly rate | $24.70 | $22.43 |
| Growth rate | 2% | - |
| Number of jobs | 106,997 | 83,284 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
The primary job of mechanical technicians is to help mechanical engineers design, develop, test, and manufacture mechanical devices such as machines and engines. They typically do varied tasks, including evaluating design sketches for new and changing tools, discussing changes with colleagues, and reviewing blueprints and instructions for projects. As a mechanical technician, you are also responsible for estimating equipment life, plant space, and labor costs. To become successful in this role, you need to have an associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, excellent communication skills, and mechanical skills.
An electronics technician is responsible for the maintenance of the technology and electrical equipment to ensure its performance with the highest quality standards. Electronics technicians' duties include troubleshooting, replacing malfunction equipment components, upgrading technology and software systems, operating machines, diagnosing defects, analyzing blueprints, conducting system installations, and creating reports for technological procedures. An electronics technician must have excellent attention to detail and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to multi-task in performing tasks accurately and efficiently to deliver the best services to clients.
Mechanical technicians and electronics technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Technician | Electronics Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,367 | $46,660 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $68,000 | Between $32,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Montana |
| Best paying company | Meta | Jacobs Engineering Group |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a mechanical technician and an electronics technician in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Technician | Electronics Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between mechanical technicians' and electronics technicians' demographics:
| Mechanical Technician | Electronics Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 91.4% Female, 8.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.8% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 6% | 8% |