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Senior test technician vs technical testing engineer

The differences between senior test technicians and technical testing engineers 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 test technician, becoming a technical testing engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical testing engineer has an average salary of $88,367, which is higher than the $56,825 average annual salary of a senior test technician.

The top three skills for a senior test technician include test equipment, test procedures and test results. The most important skills for a technical testing engineer are test results, schematics, and test procedures.

Senior test technician vs technical testing engineer overview

Senior Test TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Yearly salary$56,825$88,367
Hourly rate$27.32$42.48
Growth rate-10%
Number of jobs37,276100,815
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Associate Degree, 47%
Average age5042
Years of experience124

What does a senior test technician do?

A senior test technician inspects product functions and monitors tests. They ensure their company's products meet quality standards. They may test software with the use of a Vector Network Analyzer. They are also responsible for the preventative maintenance of equipment and systems.

What does a technical testing engineer do?

A technical testing engineer is responsible for inspecting and reporting the quality of products across the production cycle. You will thoroughly check procedures, materials, and electrical and mechanical systems to produce high-quality products for customers. Your main job is to test various components and features of the product to identify and resolve technical issues. Other duties include organizing and conducting training for junior team members, creating test environments, and identifying the root cause of technical issues.

Senior test technician vs technical testing engineer salary

Senior test technicians and technical testing engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Test TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Average salary$56,825$88,367
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $82,000Between $62,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CityGermantown, MDIssaquah, WA
Highest paying stateMarylandWashington
Best paying companyAppleWestern Digital
Best paying industryManufacturingAutomotive

Differences between senior test technician and technical testing engineer education

There are a few differences between a senior test technician and a technical testing engineer in terms of educational background:

Senior Test TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 51%Associate Degree, 47%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityNortheastern University

Senior test technician vs technical testing engineer demographics

Here are the differences between senior test technicians' and technical testing engineers' demographics:

Senior Test TechnicianTechnical Testing Engineer
Average age5042
Gender ratioMale, 91.8% Female, 8.2%Male, 89.7% Female, 10.3%
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, 4.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 11.8% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%4%

Differences between senior test technician and technical testing engineer duties and responsibilities

Senior test technician example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage windows applications for the user, maintain servers and manage help desk operations.
  • Perform debug and repair of in process and RMA units to the component level.
  • Work with engineers to initiate and complete ECO changes.
  • Inspect, repair, and troubleshot RMA boards from customers.
  • Provide rework solutions include solder high pin-count packages, fine-pitch components and PCB.
  • Perform test plans under engineer's specifications and debug HW & firmware, and drivers.
  • Show more

Technical testing engineer example responsibilities.

  • Design circuitry and write software to automate the testing of microwave data transmitters.
  • Lead project team to design and FDA validate 10-up extreme accuracy vial dosing system and CIP/SIP automate cleaning equipment.
  • Use of digital storage oscilloscopes to trace digital and analog signals during component level troubleshooting and system level integration and test.
  • Assist engineers with CE, and UL certifications.
  • Study and learn assembly, test and debug techniques.
  • Analyze software failures utilizing software base on Linux and Unix kernels.
  • Show more

Senior test technician vs technical testing engineer skills

Common senior test technician skills
  • Test Equipment, 12%
  • Test Procedures, 9%
  • Test Results, 5%
  • RF, 5%
  • Oscilloscopes, 5%
  • Test Data, 5%
Common technical testing engineer skills
  • Test Results, 7%
  • Schematics, 7%
  • Test Procedures, 6%
  • Test Data, 4%
  • Test Fixtures, 4%
  • RF, 4%

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