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Product test specialist vs test technician

The differences between product test specialists and test technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a product test specialist has an average salary of $78,606, which is higher than the $43,171 average annual salary of a test technician.

The top three skills for a product test specialist include operational test, test cases and test scripts. The most important skills for a test technician are test procedures, test results, and hand tools.

Product test specialist vs test technician overview

Product Test SpecialistTest Technician
Yearly salary$78,606$43,171
Hourly rate$37.79$20.76
Growth rate-3%-
Number of jobs77,20071,414
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Associate Degree, 45%
Average age4550
Years of experience-12

Product test specialist vs test technician salary

Product test specialists and test technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Product Test SpecialistTest Technician
Average salary$78,606$43,171
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $130,000Between $30,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityMcLean, VAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateConnecticutHawaii
Best paying companyTÜV SÜD AmericaNokia
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between product test specialist and test technician education

There are a few differences between a product test specialist and a test technician in terms of educational background:

Product Test SpecialistTest Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Associate Degree, 45%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common college-Northeastern University

Product test specialist vs test technician demographics

Here are the differences between product test specialists' and test technicians' demographics:

Product Test SpecialistTest Technician
Average age4550
Gender ratioMale, 75.3% Female, 24.7%Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 11.9% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage4%8%

Differences between product test specialist and test technician duties and responsibilities

Product test specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the UAT process and the client demands to ensure a smooth testing period and transition to an operating model.
  • Test and troubleshoot RF circuitry using spectrum analyzer and signal generators
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of testing metrics.
  • Participate in JAD meetings and walkthrough for changes in the requirements and report progress of the QA team.
  • Test, troubleshoot analog and digital microprocessor circuits to component level, update production to meet current revision requirements.
  • Ensure an effective onsite offshore coordination with a strong emphasis on effective communication.

Test technician example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage windows applications for the user, maintain servers and manage help desk operations.
  • Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.
  • Perform in-circuit emulation and boundary scan testing (JTAG).
  • Perform extensive testing on CVD, PVD, display and solar tooling.
  • Configure bios to better suit the operating system, motherboard and CPU's needs and requirements.
  • Use of micrometers, calipers, torque wrenches, rivet and crimping tools, electrical test equipment, drill presses.
  • Show more

Product test specialist vs test technician skills

Common product test specialist skills
  • Operational Test, 16%
  • Test Cases, 13%
  • Test Scripts, 12%
  • Test Procedures, 11%
  • Regression, 10%
  • ALM, 8%
Common test technician skills
  • Test Procedures, 8%
  • Test Results, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Test Data, 5%
  • RF, 5%
  • Engineering Drawings, 4%

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