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Service and repair technician vs plant technician

The differences between service and repair technicians and plant technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a service and repair technician and a plant technician. Additionally, a plant technician has an average salary of $46,164, which is higher than the $42,099 average annual salary of a service and repair technician.

The top three skills for a service and repair technician include dishwashers, test equipment and HVAC. The most important skills for a plant technician are preventive maintenance, ladders, and data collection.

Service and repair technician vs plant technician overview

Service And Repair TechnicianPlant Technician
Yearly salary$42,099$46,164
Hourly rate$20.24$22.19
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs193,706146,543
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a service and repair technician do?

Service and repair technicians install, maintains, or repair equipment and often travel to customer's location to provide service and maintenance. They are also known as field service technicians who have technical knowledge and skills to be able to install and conduct product testing or demo to properly instruct customers on the proper usage of the product. Also, they provide preventive maintenance procedures to prevent damage to the equipment, diagnose problems and make repairs. The job involves various services depending on the area of experience and expertise.

What does a plant technician do?

A plant technician is in charge of overseeing plant operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their responsibilities include installing and upgrading machines and equipment, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, implementing solutions to vulnerable or problem areas, and developing strategies to optimize plant operations. They must also perform regular maintenance checks, conducting corrective measures and adjustments as needed. Furthermore, a plant technician must provide technical support to employees, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Service and repair technician vs plant technician salary

Service and repair technicians and plant technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Service And Repair TechnicianPlant Technician
Average salary$42,099$46,164
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $60,000Between $31,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CAKent, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyPlug PowerBP America Inc
Best paying industryTransportationUtilities

Differences between service and repair technician and plant technician education

There are a few differences between a service and repair technician and a plant technician in terms of educational background:

Service And Repair TechnicianPlant Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common college--

Service and repair technician vs plant technician demographics

Here are the differences between service and repair technicians' and plant technicians' demographics:

Service And Repair TechnicianPlant Technician
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 89.3% Female, 10.7%Male, 75.4% Female, 24.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between service and repair technician and plant technician duties and responsibilities

Service and repair technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and perform the installation of HVAC equipment, air handlers, condensers, thermostats, ducts and piping.
  • Service calls on anything relate to anything dealing with doors, windows and glass.
  • Service and repair on small engines, generators, ridding mowers, exercise equipment, power tools, washers and dryers.
  • Perform random field warranty repairs on existing install windows.
  • Perform SMT inspection, post-wave touch-up, rework, ECO wiring, and functional test repairs.
  • Service kitchen appliances, stoves, ovens, dishwasher, trash compactors, garbage disposers and other home appliances.
  • Show more

Plant technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage documentation on all USDA and HACCP forms.
  • Perform and manage routine building maintenance tasks, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and general maintenance.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Used spectrophotometers, pH meters, and centrifuges.
  • Experience working with extruders, film manufacturing and processing.
  • Follow all company safety rules and good manufacturing practices (GMP's )
  • Show more

Service and repair technician vs plant technician skills

Common service and repair technician skills
  • Dishwashers, 19%
  • Test Equipment, 18%
  • HVAC, 15%
  • Dryers, 12%
  • Plumbing, 11%
  • Stoves, 11%
Common plant technician skills
  • Preventive Maintenance, 9%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Data Collection, 8%
  • Electrical Troubleshooting, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Math, 6%

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