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Microwave technician vs instrument technician

The differences between microwave 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 microwave technician and an instrument technician. Additionally, an instrument technician has an average salary of $56,918, which is higher than the $47,493 average annual salary of a microwave technician.

The top three skills for a microwave technician include test equipment, power meters and level troubleshooting. The most important skills for an instrument technician are patients, surgical instruments, and cleanliness.

Microwave technician vs instrument technician overview

Microwave TechnicianInstrument Technician
Yearly salary$47,493$56,918
Hourly rate$22.83$27.36
Growth rate--
Number of jobs15,22545,965
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 48%Associate Degree, 48%
Average age5050
Years of experience1212

Microwave technician vs instrument technician salary

Microwave technicians and instrument technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Microwave TechnicianInstrument Technician
Average salary$47,493$56,918
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $60,000Between $38,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City-Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Phillips 66
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between microwave technician and instrument technician education

There are a few differences between a microwave technician and an instrument technician in terms of educational background:

Microwave TechnicianInstrument Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 48%Associate Degree, 48%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityNortheastern University

Microwave technician vs instrument technician demographics

Here are the differences between microwave technicians' and instrument technicians' demographics:

Microwave TechnicianInstrument Technician
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 95.6% Female, 4.4%Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between microwave technician and instrument technician duties and responsibilities

Microwave technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing CDMA network, Voice/EVDO circuit's layouts, CDM circuit inventory and roll over's for cell sites.
  • Perform FCC proof of performance testing.
  • Measure insertion loss, isolation and VSWR.
  • Check quality of transmit signals and verify FCC compliance.
  • Conduct testing, tuning and troubleshooting of PC boards.
  • Maintain the operation of several active microwave and fiber systems by Nortel, Alcatel and Glenayre.
  • Show more

Instrument technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead the planning and coordination of QC instrumentation and software qualification to be compliant with best practices.
  • Lead a team of 10 engineers to develop an infrare telescope that are launched on the NASA high-altitude balloonproject BRRISON/BOPPS.
  • Accomplish team sales of 464K in clinical chemistry and hematology instrumentation.
  • Adhere to safe work practices including lock out/tag out, OSHA regulations, NFPA, and NEC code regulations.
  • Clean and sterilize various surgical instruments for multiple surgery cases.
  • Skil in the installation, maintenance, electrical devices from 24 volt DC to 4160 VAC.
  • Show more

Microwave technician vs instrument technician skills

Common microwave technician skills
  • Test Equipment, 20%
  • Power Meters, 11%
  • Level Troubleshooting, 10%
  • MW, 7%
  • Frequency Counters, 5%
  • Antenna Systems, 4%
Common instrument technician skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • Surgical Instruments, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Control Systems, 5%
  • PLC, 4%

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