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The differences between reliability technicians and 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 reliability technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a reliability technician has an average salary of $50,168, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a reliability technician include troubleshoot, preventative maintenance and hand tools. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Reliability Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $50,168 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $24.12 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | - | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 38,743 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 50 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Reliability technicians are responsible for helping enhance quality, improve safety, and implement the constant development of projects to maximize output. They collaborate with engineers and lead maintenance technicians to do continuing the system development. Their duties include giving technical assistance and input in engineering project management services. Also, they systematize and direct work assigned to make certain immediate feedback to repairs, fast identification of faults, and prompt action to repairs. Additionally, they plan, establish, and coordinate work by contractors and other associates.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Reliability technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Reliability Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $50,168 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $67,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Apple | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a reliability technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Reliability Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | - |
Here are the differences between reliability technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Reliability Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.1% Female, 11.9% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 2% |