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The differences between test engineers and test technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a test engineer, becoming a test technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a test engineer has an average salary of $79,832, which is higher than the $43,171 average annual salary of a test technician.
The top three skills for a test engineer include python, C++ and C #. The most important skills for a test technician are test procedures, test results, and hand tools.
| Test Engineer | Test Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $79,832 | $43,171 |
| Hourly rate | $38.38 | $20.76 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 228,974 | 71,414 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 44 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
Test engineers are professionals who observe and record the quality of products, which includes functionality, durability, speed, and safety. They are responsible for checking the materials and procedures thoroughly throughout the production cycle. It is their duty to run tests on different criteria to identify and fix technical issues. They analyze reactions to determine the causes of malfunctions and recommend potential improvements. Moreover, they test products before they are launched to ensure customers get high-quality and functional products.
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.
Test engineers and test technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Engineer | Test Technician | |
| Average salary | $79,832 | $43,171 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $104,000 | Between $30,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Meta | Nokia |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Technology |
There are a few differences between a test engineer and a test technician in terms of educational background:
| Test Engineer | Test Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Associate Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between test engineers' and test technicians' demographics:
| Test Engineer | Test Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3% | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 11% | 8% |