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Microwave technician vs radio frequency technician

The differences between microwave technicians and radio frequency 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 microwave technician, becoming a radio frequency technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a radio frequency technician has an average salary of $47,568, 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 a radio frequency technician are test equipment, troubleshoot, and power meters.

Microwave technician vs radio frequency technician overview

Microwave TechnicianRadio Frequency Technician
Yearly salary$47,493$47,568
Hourly rate$22.83$22.87
Growth rate-8%
Number of jobs15,2253,626
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 48%Associate Degree, 49%
Average age5045
Years of experience124

Microwave technician vs radio frequency technician salary

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

Microwave TechnicianRadio Frequency Technician
Average salary$47,493$47,568
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $60,000Between $34,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City-Fremont, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between microwave technician and radio frequency technician education

There are a few differences between a microwave technician and a radio frequency technician in terms of educational background:

Microwave TechnicianRadio Frequency Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 48%Associate Degree, 49%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityInter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Microwave technician vs radio frequency technician demographics

Here are the differences between microwave technicians' and radio frequency technicians' demographics:

Microwave TechnicianRadio Frequency Technician
Average age5045
Gender ratioMale, 95.6% Female, 4.4%Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.3% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between microwave technician and radio frequency 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

Radio frequency technician example responsibilities.

  • Install, configure, upgrade, and manage Cisco routers and switches daily.
  • Process improvement efforts and/or other opportunities to automate these processes with computer applications with C++ and/or Java where applicable.
  • Install Nortel CDMA equipment throughout Kansas.
  • Maintain and repair Nortel TDMA equipment.
  • Install and maintain GSM and UMTS equipment.
  • Repair stocked or customer-own Motorola, Samsung, Nokia and other cellular brand equipment.
  • Show more

Microwave technician vs radio frequency technician skills

Common microwave technician skills
  • Test Equipment, 20%
  • Power Meters, 11%
  • Level Troubleshooting, 10%
  • MW, 7%
  • Frequency Counters, 5%
  • Antenna Systems, 4%
Common radio frequency technician skills
  • Test Equipment, 11%
  • Troubleshoot, 10%
  • Power Meters, 5%
  • RF Gun, 5%
  • Microwave, 5%
  • Test Procedures, 4%

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