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The differences between mechanical technicians and field service 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 a field service technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a field service technician has an average salary of $54,339, which is higher than the $51,367 average annual salary of a mechanical technician.
The top three skills for a mechanical technician include preventive maintenance, hand tools and electro-mechanical. The most important skills for a field service technician are customer service, preventative maintenance, and customer satisfaction.
| Mechanical Technician | Field Service Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $51,367 | $54,339 |
| Hourly rate | $24.70 | $26.12 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 106,997 | 167,298 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| 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.
Field service technicians are skilled professionals who manage the technical needs of their clients outside the company's physical office space. They are usually on the field to visit their clients and check up on clients' equipment. Field service technicians are dispatched to provide technical support. They oversee installations, repairs, or maintenance activities. They ensure that all the work needed is done well. They also conduct diagnostic activities and troubleshooting. Field service technicians also supervise any updating or changes needed to be done in their clients' offices. They are expected to have good analytical skills, communication skills, and highly technical skills.
Mechanical technicians and field service technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mechanical Technician | Field Service Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,367 | $54,339 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $68,000 | Between $35,000 And $82,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Finance |
There are a few differences between a mechanical technician and a field service technician in terms of educational background:
| Mechanical Technician | Field Service Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Purdue University | - |
Here are the differences between mechanical technicians' and field service technicians' demographics:
| Mechanical Technician | Field Service Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% |
| 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, 4.8% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 1.7% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 1% |