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Relay technician vs switch gear technician

The differences between relay technicians and switch gear 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 relay technician and a switch gear technician. Additionally, a relay technician has an average salary of $68,823, which is higher than the $36,468 average annual salary of a switch gear technician.

The top three skills for a relay technician include transformers, SCADA and test equipment. The most important skills for a switch gear technician are visual inspections, CNC, and .

Relay technician vs switch gear technician overview

Relay TechnicianSwitch Gear Technician
Yearly salary$68,823$36,468
Hourly rate$33.09$17.53
Growth rate-1%-1%
Number of jobs57,9146,192
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age3737
Years of experience44

Relay technician vs switch gear technician salary

Relay technicians and switch gear technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Relay TechnicianSwitch Gear Technician
Average salary$68,823$36,468
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $120,000Between $29,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between relay technician and switch gear technician education

There are a few differences between a relay technician and a switch gear technician in terms of educational background:

Relay TechnicianSwitch Gear Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common collegeNew Mexico State UniversityNorthern Michigan University

Relay technician vs switch gear technician demographics

Here are the differences between relay technicians' and switch gear technicians' demographics:

Relay TechnicianSwitch Gear Technician
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 92.5% Female, 7.5%Male, 98.1% Female, 1.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 3.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 3.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between relay technician and switch gear technician duties and responsibilities

Relay technician example responsibilities.

  • Lead technicians and engineers to accomplish a cross-functional CNC fixture design to improve production capabilities.
  • Test and troubleshoot protective relay scheme for the commissioning of switch yard apparatus and line protection.
  • Assist with SCADA point verification.
  • Work with Nortel and Alcatel switches.
  • Travele with company and put substations into service by wiring cabinets, transformers, and breakers.
  • Involve the wiring and testing of control relays, transformers, and breakers and switching gear.
  • Show more

Switch gear technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing CDMA network, Voice/EVDO circuit's layouts, CDM circuit inventory and roll over's for cell sites.
  • Fill out appropriate forms to repair any defects in accordance with FAA regulations and repair manual.
  • Recommend and initiate modification and replacement of equipment that fail to meet acceptable operating standards, base on Doble test results.
  • Participate in Kaizen events so to ensure continuous improvement within manufacturing operation.

Relay technician vs switch gear technician skills

Common relay technician skills
  • Transformers, 17%
  • SCADA, 13%
  • Test Equipment, 10%
  • Substation Equipment, 10%
  • Protective Relays, 7%
  • Control Circuits, 7%
Common switch gear technician skills
  • Visual Inspections, 55%
  • CNC, 45%

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