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The differences between security technicians and alarm technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a security technician and an alarm technician. Additionally, a security technician has an average salary of $58,338, which is higher than the $42,630 average annual salary of an alarm technician.
The top three skills for a security technician include customer service, CCTV and control systems. The most important skills for an alarm technician are fire protection, work ethic, and NFPA.
| Security Technician | Alarm Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $58,338 | $42,630 |
| Hourly rate | $28.05 | $20.50 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 92,807 | 94,813 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
The security technician's main job responsibility is to maintain and repair security-related concerns in a company. They identify and troubleshoot basic network related problems on hardware or software. They monitor alarm wiring and equipment and ensure work is under the safety standards. They also establish system access by issuing ID's, instructing the client on creation password and usage. They monitor access by looking-up ID status by validating owner identity. They also maintain security-related files by receiving, processing, and updating computer security forms.
An alarm technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots security alarms that are used in a company or establishment. Security alarms serve to deter to thievery and break-ins. An alarm technician is responsible for ensuring that installed security alarms will always work as expected. This position requires experience as an electrician, knowledge of the common types of alarm systems, and a keen grasp of security practices.
Security technicians and alarm technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Security Technician | Alarm Technician | |
| Average salary | $58,338 | $42,630 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $101,000 | Between $31,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Fort Wayne, IN |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Indiana |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | EMCOR Group |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a security technician and an alarm technician in terms of educational background:
| Security Technician | Alarm Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between security technicians' and alarm technicians' demographics:
| Security Technician | Alarm Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.0% Female, 17.0% | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 4.3% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.3% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |