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The differences between radio technicians and radio frequency 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 a radio frequency technician takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a radio frequency technician has an average salary of $47,568, 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 a radio frequency technician are test equipment, troubleshoot, and power meters.
| Radio Technician | Radio Frequency Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,253 | $47,568 |
| Hourly rate | $18.87 | $22.87 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 27,419 | 3,626 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
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.
A radio frequency technician specializes in installing and repairing wireless communication systems. In a company setting, their responsibilities include coordinating with staff to identify needs, assessing existing facilities to learn its strengths and weaknesses, implementing solutions on problem areas, and performing regular maintenance checks, conducting corrective measures, and adjustments as needed. They may also develop upgrades on systems to optimize procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Furthermore, as a radio frequency technician, it is essential to provide technical support, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Radio technicians and radio frequency technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Radio Technician | Radio Frequency Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,253 | $47,568 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $51,000 | Between $34,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fresno, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Government | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a radio technician and a radio frequency technician in terms of educational background:
| Radio Technician | Radio Frequency Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon |
Here are the differences between radio technicians' and radio frequency technicians' demographics:
| Radio Technician | Radio Frequency Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 10.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.3% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |