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Metrology technician vs technical testing engineer

The differences between metrology technicians and technical testing engineers 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 a technical testing engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical testing engineer has an average salary of $88,367, 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 a technical testing engineer are test results, schematics, and test procedures.

Metrology technician vs technical testing engineer overview

Metrology TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Yearly salary$60,212$88,367
Hourly rate$28.95$42.48
Growth rate-10%
Number of jobs28,301100,815
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 48%Associate Degree, 47%
Average age5042
Years of experience124

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 a technical testing engineer do?

A technical testing engineer is responsible for inspecting and reporting the quality of products across the production cycle. You will thoroughly check procedures, materials, and electrical and mechanical systems to produce high-quality products for customers. Your main job is to test various components and features of the product to identify and resolve technical issues. Other duties include organizing and conducting training for junior team members, creating test environments, and identifying the root cause of technical issues.

Metrology technician vs technical testing engineer salary

Metrology technicians and technical testing engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Metrology TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Average salary$60,212$88,367
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $97,000Between $62,000 And $125,000
Highest paying City-Issaquah, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Western Digital
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between metrology technician and technical testing engineer education

There are a few differences between a metrology technician and a technical testing engineer in terms of educational background:

Metrology TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 48%Associate Degree, 47%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityNortheastern University

Metrology technician vs technical testing engineer demographics

Here are the differences between metrology technicians' and technical testing engineers' demographics:

Metrology TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Average age5042
Gender ratioMale, 87.0% Female, 13.0%Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 11.8% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%4%

Differences between metrology technician and technical testing engineer 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.
  • Show more

Technical testing engineer example responsibilities.

  • Design circuitry and write software to automate the testing of microwave data transmitters.
  • Lead project team to design and FDA validate 10-up extreme accuracy vial dosing system and CIP/SIP automate cleaning equipment.
  • Use of digital storage oscilloscopes to trace digital and analog signals during component level troubleshooting and system level integration and test.
  • Assist engineers with CE, and UL certifications.
  • Study and learn assembly, test and debug techniques.
  • Analyze software failures utilizing software base on Linux and Unix kernels.
  • Show more

Metrology technician vs technical testing engineer skills

Common metrology technician skills
  • Calibration Procedures, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Calipers, 7%
  • Micrometers, 7%
  • ISO, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
Common technical testing engineer skills
  • Test Results, 7%
  • Schematics, 7%
  • Test Procedures, 6%
  • Test Data, 4%
  • Test Fixtures, 4%
  • RF, 4%

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