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Optics test technician vs technical testing engineer

The differences between optics test 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 an optics test 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 $47,494 average annual salary of an optics test technician.

The top three skills for an optics test technician include optical test, test equipment and RF. The most important skills for a technical testing engineer are test results, schematics, and test procedures.

Optics test technician vs technical testing engineer overview

Optics Test TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Yearly salary$47,494$88,367
Hourly rate$22.83$42.48
Growth rate-10%
Number of jobs35,869100,815
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 47%
Average age5042
Years of experience124

Optics test technician vs technical testing engineer salary

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

Optics Test TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Average salary$47,494$88,367
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $68,000Between $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 optics test technician and technical testing engineer education

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

Optics Test TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 47%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNortheastern University

Optics test technician vs technical testing engineer demographics

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

Optics Test TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Average age5042
Gender ratioMale, 71.0% Female, 29.0%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 optics test technician and technical testing engineer 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.

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

Optics test technician vs technical testing engineer skills

Common optics test technician skills
  • Optical Test, 12%
  • Test Equipment, 10%
  • RF, 9%
  • Calipers, 8%
  • Test Procedures, 7%
  • Optical Components, 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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