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The differences between process technicians and quality technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a process technician and a quality technician. Additionally, a process technician has an average salary of $39,462, which is higher than the $37,007 average annual salary of a quality technician.
The top three skills for a process technician include basic math, patients and OSHA. The most important skills for a quality technician are calipers, quality standards, and corrective action.
| Process Technician | Quality Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,462 | $37,007 |
| Hourly rate | $18.97 | $17.79 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 74,367 | 80,291 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A process technician is responsible for managing the equipment and machinery used for various industries, such as manufacturing and engineering. Process technicians must have a strong knowledge of the mechanical industry, especially on operating certain equipment types and making adjustments on its features as needed, depending on the needs of the operation. They also run diagnostic tests to check a machine's working condition to ensure that it's free of any inconsistencies. A process technician also helps develop structure methods by communicating with the technical team and escalating all defective findings to the supervisor.
Quality systems analysts are professionals who analyze the implemented quality standards of an organization's business procedures and policies. These analysts are required to execute test plans and resolve discrepancies with their technical personnel. They must coordinate all internal audits of the quality system while implementing corrective action to their audit findings. They are required to conduct weekly meetings with development staff to discuss defects and revised business requirements. Quality systems analysts must also identify the quality training needs for operations personnel working with supervisors and quality engineers.
Process technicians and quality technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Process Technician | Quality Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,462 | $37,007 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $51,000 | Between $27,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | HP | Amphenol |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a process technician and a quality technician in terms of educational background:
| Process Technician | Quality Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Purdue University |
Here are the differences between process technicians' and quality technicians' demographics:
| Process Technician | Quality Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% | Male, 60.4% Female, 39.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.6% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |