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Substation technician vs switch gear technician

The differences between substation technicians and switch gear 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 substation technician and a switch gear technician. Additionally, a substation technician has an average salary of $39,335, which is higher than the $36,468 average annual salary of a switch gear technician.

The top three skills for a substation technician include hand tools, circuit breakers and substation equipment. The most important skills for a switch gear technician are visual inspections, CNC, and .

Substation technician vs switch gear technician overview

Substation TechnicianSwitch Gear Technician
Yearly salary$39,335$36,468
Hourly rate$18.91$17.53
Growth rate-1%-1%
Number of jobs44,8726,192
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age3737
Years of experience44

Substation technician vs switch gear technician salary

Substation technicians and switch gear technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Substation TechnicianSwitch Gear Technician
Average salary$39,335$36,468
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $53,000Between $29,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between substation technician and switch gear technician education

There are a few differences between a substation technician and a switch gear technician in terms of educational background:

Substation TechnicianSwitch Gear Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common collegeNew Mexico State UniversityNorthern Michigan University

Substation technician vs switch gear technician demographics

Here are the differences between substation technicians' and switch gear technicians' demographics:

Substation TechnicianSwitch Gear Technician
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 97.3% Female, 2.7%Male, 98.1% Female, 1.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 3.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 3.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between substation technician and switch gear technician duties and responsibilities

Substation technician example responsibilities.

  • Document all work perform to meet WECC and Nerc Cip compliant requirements.
  • Diagnose, repair and replace monitoring and control systems, hoisting equipment, and overhead cranes.
  • Check and refill SF6 on circuit switches.
  • Use ladders and Ariel Lifts/Trek-Lifts when need.
  • Perform NERC compliance relating to system protection.
  • Assist with SCADA installation and wiring at each substation.
  • Show more

Switch gear technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing CDMA network, Voice/EVDO circuit's layouts, CDM circuit inventory and roll over's for cell sites.
  • Fill out appropriate forms to repair any defects in accordance with FAA regulations and repair manual.
  • Recommend and initiate modification and replacement of equipment that fail to meet acceptable operating standards, base on Doble test results.
  • Participate in Kaizen events so to ensure continuous improvement within manufacturing operation.

Substation technician vs switch gear technician skills

Common substation technician skills
  • Hand Tools, 13%
  • Circuit Breakers, 12%
  • Substation Equipment, 11%
  • Safety Rules, 10%
  • Loaders, 8%
  • Switches, 7%
Common switch gear technician skills
  • Visual Inspections, 55%
  • CNC, 45%

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