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Optics test technician vs calibration technician

The differences between optics test technicians and calibration technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an optics test technician and a calibration technician. Additionally, an optics test technician has an average salary of $47,494, which is higher than the $46,908 average annual salary of a calibration technician.

The top three skills for an optics test technician include optical test, test equipment and RF. The most important skills for a calibration technician are metrology, customer service, and calibration procedures.

Optics test technician vs calibration technician overview

Optics Test TechnicianCalibration Technician
Yearly salary$47,494$46,908
Hourly rate$22.83$22.55
Growth rate--
Number of jobs35,86948,741
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 48%
Average age5050
Years of experience1212

Optics test technician vs calibration technician salary

Optics test technicians and calibration technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Optics Test TechnicianCalibration Technician
Average salary$47,494$46,908
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $68,000Between $35,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Boehringer Ingelheim
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between optics test technician and calibration technician education

There are a few differences between an optics test technician and a calibration technician in terms of educational background:

Optics Test TechnicianCalibration Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 48%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNortheastern University

Optics test technician vs calibration technician demographics

Here are the differences between optics test technicians' and calibration technicians' demographics:

Optics Test TechnicianCalibration Technician
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 71.0% Female, 29.0%Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3%
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, 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 optics test technician and calibration technician duties and responsibilities

Optics test technician example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage windows applications for the user, maintain servers and manage help desk operations.
  • Assemble bottom end and strip, cleaver, splicing fiber and modify PCB.
  • Record data, test incoming PCB and modules, rework, upgrade, and configure optic modules.
  • Maintain records for all testing and calibration in accordance with good manufacturing practices (GMP), and ISO standards.
  • Test, troubleshoot analog and digital microprocessor circuits to component level, update production to meet current revision requirements.
  • Test, troubleshoot analog and digital microprocessor circuits to component level, update production to meet current revision requirements.

Calibration technician example responsibilities.

  • Comply with good laboratory practices FDA, QSR, ISO, safety and environmental regulations.
  • Calibrate and repair general-purpose and RF test, measurement, & diagnostic equipment (TMDE) and microwave passive standards.
  • Calibrate basic mechanical and electrical measurement instruments, such as calipers, micrometers and voltage-current-resistance meters.
  • Perform calibration and maintenance of measuring equipment including micrometers, calipers and drop indicators among others.
  • Maintain standards in accordance with cGMP, USP, JP and ISO.
  • Install MCC's, VFD's, motors, and Allen Bradley PLC's.
  • Show more

Optics test technician vs calibration technician skills

Common optics test technician skills
  • Optical Test, 12%
  • Test Equipment, 10%
  • RF, 9%
  • Calipers, 8%
  • Test Procedures, 7%
  • Optical Components, 6%
Common calibration technician skills
  • Metrology, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Calibration Procedures, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 4%
  • Equipment Calibration, 4%

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