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Senior instrument technician vs technician

The differences between senior instrument 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 senior instrument technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a senior instrument technician has an average salary of $80,934, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.

The top three skills for a senior instrument technician include control systems, HMI and HVAC. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Senior instrument technician vs technician overview

Senior Instrument TechnicianTechnician
Yearly salary$80,934$38,045
Hourly rate$38.91$18.29
Growth rate-1%
Number of jobs45,526596,842
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age5040
Years of experience122

What does a senior instrument technician do?

As a senior instrument technician, you need to do general maintenance work on the equipment generation and design process of the company. You need to have excellent mapping and recording skills so that you can measure and record the equipment reading. As a senior instrument technician, you need to do your work precisely. This is because you are in the field of measurement and control.

You will also have to inspect repairing tests as well as record changes in the industrial environment of the company. You need to have great analytical skills so that you can solve complex instrumental problems and help in the overall development of the company system. A minimum of an associate's degree is required for this job.

What does a technician do?

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.

Senior instrument technician vs technician salary

Senior instrument technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Instrument TechnicianTechnician
Average salary$80,934$38,045
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $117,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Microsoft
Best paying industry-Telecommunication

Differences between senior instrument technician and technician education

There are a few differences between a senior instrument technician and a technician in terms of educational background:

Senior Instrument TechnicianTechnician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeNortheastern University-

Senior instrument technician vs technician demographics

Here are the differences between senior instrument technicians' and technicians' demographics:

Senior Instrument TechnicianTechnician
Average age5040
Gender ratioMale, 92.7% Female, 7.3%Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage8%2%

Differences between senior instrument technician and technician duties and responsibilities

Senior instrument technician example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish team sales of 464K in clinical chemistry and hematology instrumentation.
  • Assist in start-up of new equipment to ensure it meets all instrumentation design specifications.
  • Assist engineers in completion of instrumentation loop checks, IQ/OQ protocols, and start-up of process facilities.
  • Perform calibrations on pressure transmitters, temperature transmitters, actuator valves, level probes, flow transmitters and gas detection equipment
  • Sterilize instruments using specialize equipment including steam autoclaves, sonic washers, aerators, pasteurizers, gas sterilizers and acid sterilizers.
  • Experience using HPLC, GC, dissolution, UV-Vis, IR, and Sotax automate systems.
  • Show more

Technician example responsibilities.

  • Achieve multiple ASE certifications within first year of employment.
  • Implement and manage UHF radio base stations, repeaters, and command network, effectively linking all regional headquarters.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Manage, troubleshot and repair multiple wireless technologies including fiber optic transmission switches.
  • Install peripherals including printers, fax machines, scanners, and smartphones.
  • Show more

Senior instrument technician vs technician skills

Common senior instrument technician skills
  • Control Systems, 5%
  • HMI, 5%
  • HVAC, 5%
  • SCADA, 5%
  • GMP, 4%
  • Maximo, 4%
Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%

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