Metrology technician vs engineering technician

The differences between metrology technicians and engineering technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a metrology technician, becoming an engineering technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an engineering technician has an average salary of $60,273, which is higher than the $60,212 average annual salary of a metrology technician.

The top three skills for a metrology technician include calibration procedures, hand tools and calipers. The most important skills for an engineering technician are technical support, data collection, and test equipment.

Metrology technician vs engineering technician overview

	Metrology Technician	Engineering Technician
Yearly salary	$60,212	$60,273
Hourly rate	$28.95	$28.98
Growth rate	-	3%
Number of jobs	28,301	111,343
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	50	45
Years of experience	12	4

What does a metrology technician do?

Metrology technicians maintain and use metrology equipment. They need to calibrate the measuring instruments, test the equipment to ensure it works well, and ensure the equipment is precise and performs accurately. They also install, adjust, and maintain equipment regularly and conduct repairs on equipment. This position requires experience with metrology and a mechanical certification.

What does an engineering technician do?

An Engineering Technician's duties vary according to the industry or company, whether mechanical, industrial, civil, agricultural, or more. However, most of the time, the responsibilities often revolve around resolving technical issues, working with and assisting Engineers in building, assembling, designing, gathering and testing data, and conducting more manual activities. Furthermore, Engineering Technicians can specialize and work in various fields after a certain training period, closely mentored or monitored by an engineer or someone with extensive expertise.

Metrology technician vs engineering technician salary

Metrology technicians and engineering technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Metrology Technician	Engineering Technician
Average salary	$60,212	$60,273
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $97,000	Between $37,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Western Digital
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between metrology technician and engineering technician education

There are a few differences between a metrology technician and an engineering technician in terms of educational background:

	Metrology Technician	Engineering Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Northeastern University	Purdue University

Metrology technician vs engineering technician demographics

Here are the differences between metrology technicians' and engineering technicians' demographics:

	Metrology Technician	Engineering Technician
Average age	50	45
Gender ratio	Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0%	Male, 85.9% Female, 14.1%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 9.2% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between metrology technician and engineering technician duties and responsibilities

Metrology technician example responsibilities.

Calibrate and repair mechanical measuring equipment ranging from hand micrometers to CMM's.
Evaluate heat treatment, case depth, core hardness, porosity content, surface hardness and microstructure.
Design, build, install and maintain electronic control systems, including PLC's and microprocessors for in-plant process machinery.
Pass FDA PAI-inspection with no findings.
Identify problems with equipment's troubleshoot and repair if necessary.
Change new lamps and calibrate frequency for RF powder meter.

Engineering technician example responsibilities.

Used Microsoft SharePoint to manage projects, web base collaboration, alerts and for document management.
Achieve UL certification for thermal overload protection used in motor applications.
Manage equipment database and organize annual equipment calibration require by internal quality control and ISO standards.
Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.
Maintain engineering lab equipment: troubleshoot and repair any faulty electronic or mechanical malfunctions, and calibrate test equipment.
Specialize in software and hardware engineering to military standards and project management of DoD contracts.

Metrology technician vs engineering technician skills

Common metrology technician skills

Calibration Procedures, 8%
Hand Tools, 7%
Calipers, 7%
Micrometers, 7%
ISO, 7%
Troubleshoot, 6%

Common engineering technician skills

Technical Support, 5%
Data Collection, 4%
Test Equipment, 4%
Asphalt, 4%
Construction Projects, 4%
Construction Materials, 4%

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Metrology Technician vs Engineering Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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