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The differences between robot technicians and robotics engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a robot technician and a robotics engineer. Additionally, a robotics engineer has an average salary of $101,208, which is higher than the $55,027 average annual salary of a robot technician.
The top three skills for a robot technician include preventative maintenance, continuous improvement and PLC. The most important skills for a robotics engineer are python, linux, and CAD.
| Robot Technician | Robotics Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $55,027 | $101,208 |
| Hourly rate | $26.46 | $48.66 |
| Growth rate | -4% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 70,229 | 61,819 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A robot technician is an individual who operates, configures, and tests robotic equipment as well as perform the first installation of the robot for industrial companies. Robot technicians are required to assist manufacturing, mechanical, and electronics engineers in all phases of robotic design, development, production, testing, and operations. They must provide preventive maintenance to robots to ensure that they are working properly. Robot technicians are also required to perform mechanical troubleshooting and repair to robotic equipment with preventive and corrective maintenance.
A robotics engineer is responsible for designing robotic systems to support humans and businesses with their daily activities and operations using various technology systems and metal components. Robotics engineers run multiple diagnostic tests on the machines, identify inconsistencies, and perform troubleshooting procedures for defective system components. They also configure the robot's features regularly, ensuring its efficiency and accuracy through different stages of production. A robotics engineer must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, including analytical expertise, to monitor cost-estimates and maintain the project within the budget goals.
Robot technicians and robotics engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Robot Technician | Robotics Engineer | |
| Average salary | $55,027 | $101,208 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $87,000 | Between $70,000 And $144,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Internet |
There are a few differences between a robot technician and a robotics engineer in terms of educational background:
| Robot Technician | Robotics Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between robot technicians' and robotics engineers' demographics:
| Robot Technician | Robotics Engineer | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.2% Female, 8.8% | Male, 93.0% Female, 7.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.7% Asian, 17.9% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 5% |