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The differences between pilot plant technicians and manufacturing technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a pilot plant technician, becoming a manufacturing technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a pilot plant technician has an average salary of $55,161, which is higher than the $37,853 average annual salary of a manufacturing technician.
The top three skills for a pilot plant technician include pilot plant equipment, safety procedures and GMP. The most important skills for a manufacturing technician are GMP, continuous improvement, and hand tools.
| Pilot Plant Technician | Manufacturing Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $55,161 | $37,853 |
| Hourly rate | $26.52 | $18.20 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 23,485 | 76,490 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 40 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Pilot plant technicians need relevant pilot plant experience or experience in a food manufacturing environment, as well as knowledge of operation and maintenance of pilot plant equipment. Paid salaries of $48K per year, those in this career are expected to operate experimental pilot plants, assist with experimental design, and develop new processes in chemical engineering and production.
A manufacturing technician, or often called a manufacturing production technician, is an individual who is responsible for setting and testing manufacturing machinery or equipment. To set up the machines, manufacturing technicians will use electronic, electrical, mechanical, or computer technologies. They are responsible for gathering data from their part in the manufacturing process and reporting it to their production or manufacturing engineers. When handling machines or equipment, manufacturing technicians must strictly follow their health and safety procedures and protocols.
Pilot plant technicians and manufacturing technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pilot Plant Technician | Manufacturing Technician | |
| Average salary | $55,161 | $37,853 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $70,000 | Between $27,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bridgeport, CT | Framingham, MA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Koppers | Qorvo |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Finance |
There are a few differences between a pilot plant technician and a manufacturing technician in terms of educational background:
| Pilot Plant Technician | Manufacturing Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Duke University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between pilot plant technicians' and manufacturing technicians' demographics:
| Pilot Plant Technician | Manufacturing Technician | |
| Average age | 40 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0% | Male, 74.4% Female, 25.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 12.7% White, 52.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% | Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 8.9% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |