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Radio technician vs engineering technician

The differences between radio technicians and engineering technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a radio technician, becoming an engineering technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an engineering technician has an average salary of $60,273, which is higher than the $39,253 average annual salary of a radio technician.

The top three skills for a radio technician include RF, test equipment and electronic equipment. The most important skills for an engineering technician are technical support, data collection, and test equipment.

Radio technician vs engineering technician overview

Radio TechnicianEngineering Technician
Yearly salary$39,253$60,273
Hourly rate$18.87$28.98
Growth rate8%3%
Number of jobs27,419111,343
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4545
Years of experience124

What does a radio technician do?

Radiation therapy technicians are responsible for the administration of targeted radiation treatments to patients. They interact with patients on a regular basis and may combine physical tests with other therapy techniques. It will demand the skills of interpersonal communication, a background in radiology, a detail-oriented personality, and various technical skills.

What does an engineering technician do?

An Engineering Technician's duties vary according to the industry or company, whether mechanical, industrial, civil, agricultural, or more. However, most of the time, the responsibilities often revolve around resolving technical issues, working with and assisting Engineers in building, assembling, designing, gathering and testing data, and conducting more manual activities. Furthermore, Engineering Technicians can specialize and work in various fields after a certain training period, closely mentored or monitored by an engineer or someone with extensive expertise.

Radio technician vs engineering technician salary

Radio technicians and engineering technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Radio TechnicianEngineering Technician
Average salary$39,253$60,273
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $51,000Between $37,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CityFresno, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyWestern Digital
Best paying industryGovernmentTechnology

Differences between radio technician and engineering technician education

There are a few differences between a radio technician and an engineering technician in terms of educational background:

Radio TechnicianEngineering Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityPurdue University

Radio technician vs engineering technician demographics

Here are the differences between radio technicians' and engineering technicians' demographics:

Radio TechnicianEngineering Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 92.6% Female, 7.4%Male, 85.9% Female, 14.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 9.2% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between radio technician and engineering technician duties and responsibilities

Radio technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Install, maintain and upgrade PBX's of Nortel and other brands.
  • Wire the system cable, LMR cable, RF jumpers, power cable according to wiring schematics.
  • Work as move, add, and change technician on Nortel, GTE, and Fujitsu PBX's and station equipment.
  • Assemble pcb board, fiber optic and surface mount.
  • Consist of a complete replacement or overhaul of the previous LMR system.
  • Show more

Engineering technician example responsibilities.

  • Used Microsoft SharePoint to manage projects, web base collaboration, alerts and for document management.
  • Achieve UL certification for thermal overload protection used in motor applications.
  • Manage equipment database and organize annual equipment calibration require by internal quality control and ISO standards.
  • Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.
  • Maintain engineering lab equipment: troubleshoot and repair any faulty electronic or mechanical malfunctions, and calibrate test equipment.
  • Specialize in software and hardware engineering to military standards and project management of DoD contracts.
  • Show more

Radio technician vs engineering technician skills

Common radio technician skills
  • RF, 11%
  • Test Equipment, 6%
  • Electronic Equipment, 5%
  • Radio Systems, 4%
  • Two-Way Radio, 4%
  • Two Way Radios, 4%
Common engineering technician skills
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • Data Collection, 4%
  • Test Equipment, 4%
  • Asphalt, 4%
  • Construction Projects, 4%
  • Construction Materials, 4%

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