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The differences between senior test technicians and test 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 senior test technician and a test technician. Additionally, a senior test technician has an average salary of $56,825, which is higher than the $43,171 average annual salary of a 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 test technician are test procedures, test results, and hand tools.
| Senior Test Technician | Test Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $56,825 | $43,171 |
| Hourly rate | $27.32 | $20.76 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 37,276 | 71,414 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 51% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A test technician is responsible for running multiple diagnostic tests on various tools and equipment to boost optimization and ensure its efficient performance on operations. Test technicians inspect system components and manage calibration, following clients' specifications or the business' needs. A test technician also analyzes the system's design processes and features to understand its complexities and identify necessary upgrades. Test technicians keep a record of system issues and resolutions for reference. A test technician must have excellent knowledge of the technical and mechanical industry to perform tasks and achieve the highest customer satisfaction.
Senior test technicians and test technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Test Technician | Test Technician | |
| Average salary | $56,825 | $43,171 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $82,000 | Between $30,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Germantown, MD | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Apple | Nokia |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior test technician and a test technician in terms of educational background:
| Senior Test Technician | Test Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 51% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between senior test technicians' and test technicians' demographics:
| Senior Test Technician | Test Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.8% Female, 8.2% | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |