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The differences between production test technicians and test technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a production test technician and a test technician. Additionally, a test technician has an average salary of $43,171, which is higher than the $41,059 average annual salary of a production test technician.
The top three skills for a production test technician include production test, hand tools and RF. The most important skills for a test technician are test procedures, test results, and hand tools.
| Production Test Technician | Test Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,059 | $43,171 |
| Hourly rate | $19.74 | $20.76 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 91,524 | 71,414 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Production Test Technicians are responsible for the testing and assembly of manufactured goods before releasing them internally or to the general public. They are involved in running tests in equipment and assemblies, performing instrument calibrations, examining finish products conform with specifications, using statistical methods to identify problems, and providing reports on defects. They work with investors, product developers, and other stakeholders in fixing defects and improving the quality of a product. In testing, they will perform inspections for achieving multipoint safety and efficiency.
A test technician is responsible for running multiple diagnostic tests on various tools and equipment to boost optimization and ensure its efficient performance on operations. Test technicians inspect system components and manage calibration, following clients' specifications or the business' needs. A test technician also analyzes the system's design processes and features to understand its complexities and identify necessary upgrades. Test technicians keep a record of system issues and resolutions for reference. A test technician must have excellent knowledge of the technical and mechanical industry to perform tasks and achieve the highest customer satisfaction.
Production test technicians and test technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Production Test Technician | Test Technician | |
| Average salary | $41,059 | $43,171 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $53,000 | Between $30,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Beverly, MA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Sanmina | Nokia |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a production test technician and a test technician in terms of educational background:
| Production Test Technician | Test Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 57% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between production test technicians' and test technicians' demographics:
| Production Test Technician | Test Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.5% Female, 8.5% | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 8% | 8% |