Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between test technicians and calibration 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 test technician and a calibration technician. Additionally, a calibration technician has an average salary of $46,908, which is higher than the $43,171 average annual salary of a test technician.
The top three skills for a test technician include test procedures, test results and hand tools. The most important skills for a calibration technician are metrology, customer service, and calibration procedures.
| Test Technician | Calibration Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $43,171 | $46,908 |
| Hourly rate | $20.76 | $22.55 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 71,414 | 48,741 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
The calibration technician's primary role in manufacturing industries is to make sure that measurements taken with the use of equipment are accurate. They are responsible for the regular monitoring and maintenance of equipment and instruments to ensure that their readings and output match the desired results. Their duties include testing, maintenance, routine inspection, as well as the repair of instruments and manufacturing equipment. Important skills required for the job include keen attention to detail, analytical skills, and coordination for conducting tests with various equipment.
Test technicians and calibration technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Technician | Calibration Technician | |
| Average salary | $43,171 | $46,908 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $61,000 | Between $35,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Nokia | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a test technician and a calibration technician in terms of educational background:
| Test Technician | Calibration Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Northeastern University |
Here are the differences between test technicians' and calibration technicians' demographics:
| Test Technician | Calibration Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% |
| 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% |