Post job

Technician vs service technician

The differences between technicians and service technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a technician, becoming a service technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a service technician has an average salary of $40,379, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.

The top three skills for a technician include patients, customer service and patient care. The most important skills for a service technician are plumbing, customer service, and preventative maintenance.

Technician vs service technician overview

TechnicianService Technician
Yearly salary$38,045$40,379
Hourly rate$18.29$19.41
Growth rate1%8%
Number of jobs596,842254,533
Job satisfaction2-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 29%
Average age4044
Years of experience212

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.

What does a service technician do?

Service technicians are assigned in the field to address the concerns of their clients. Service technicians are responsible for the installation, maintenance, or repair of different units or items related to their company's products or services. They should be familiar with their company's products so that they can properly install, maintain, or repair them. They conduct diagnostics and analysis to assess the condition of the unit they are servicing and properly address problems. They also do routine maintenance check-ups. Service technicians are expected to be trustworthy, have good analytical skills, and have good decision-making skills.

Technician vs service technician salary

Technicians and service technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

TechnicianService Technician
Average salary$38,045$40,379
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $58,000Between $28,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CARichmond, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyMicrosoftIBM
Best paying industryTelecommunicationTechnology

Differences between technician and service technician education

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

TechnicianService Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 29%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Technician vs service technician demographics

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

TechnicianService Technician
Average age4044
Gender ratioMale, 75.2% Female, 24.8%Male, 89.2% Female, 10.8%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 1.7% White, 72.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%1%

Differences between technician and service technician duties and responsibilities

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

Service technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and perform the installation of HVAC equipment, air handlers, condensers, thermostats, ducts and piping.
  • Perform routine maintenance work on loaders, conveyors, trucks, and trailers.
  • Cable installation as a COMCAST subcontractor
  • Ensure ISO compliance and perform QC.
  • Service damaged smartphones, tablets, and peripherals.
  • Remove and launch boats from water using heavy equipment.
  • Show more

Technician vs service technician skills

Common technician skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Diagnosis, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%
Common service technician skills
  • Plumbing, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 6%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • CDL, 6%
  • Patients, 6%

Browse installation, maintenance and repair jobs