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The differences between senior engineering technicians and engineering specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior engineering technician and an engineering specialist. Additionally, an engineering specialist has an average salary of $91,767, which is higher than the $88,615 average annual salary of a senior engineering technician.
The top three skills for a senior engineering technician include java, SR and emerging technologies. The most important skills for an engineering specialist are keyword research, google analytics, and digital marketing.
| Senior Engineering Technician | Engineering Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $88,615 | $91,767 |
| Hourly rate | $42.60 | $44.12 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 94,734 | 74,442 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Senior Engineering Technician uses the technical principles of engineering to create and develop a project or product. They also provide technical assistance to professional engineering staff on special projects.
The duties of an engineering specialist depend on their line of work or industry of employment. As a specialist, their responsibilities typically revolve around utilizing their expertise by designing and developing various systems to improve products and operations, and participate in planning and devising strategies for optimal production performance. They must also identify areas needing improvement, conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure the safety and efficiency of facilities, and collaborate with other engineers as needed. Furthermore, there are instances where they have to address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and effectively.
Senior engineering technicians and engineering specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Engineering Technician | Engineering Specialist | |
| Average salary | $88,615 | $91,767 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $123,000 | Between $59,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | California |
| Best paying company | CrowdStrike | Enbridge |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Energy |
There are a few differences between a senior engineering technician and an engineering specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Engineering Technician | Engineering Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Purdue University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between senior engineering technicians' and engineering specialists' demographics:
| Senior Engineering Technician | Engineering Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5% | Male, 79.5% Female, 20.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 11.3% White, 58.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 10.3% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 7% |