Test technician vs electronic test technician

The differences between test technicians and electronic test 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 an electronic test technician. Additionally, a test technician has an average salary of $43,171, which is higher than the $43,020 average annual salary of an electronic test technician.

The top three skills for a test technician include test procedures, test results and hand tools. The most important skills for an electronic test technician are RF, oscilloscopes, and test procedures.

Test technician vs electronic test technician overview

	Test Technician	Electronic Test Technician
Yearly salary	$43,171	$43,020
Hourly rate	$20.76	$20.68
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	71,414	49,129
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 60%
Average age	50	50
Years of experience	12	12

What does a test technician do?

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.

What does an electronic test technician do?

An Electronics Test Technician is responsible for testing and troubleshooting electronic equipment, components, and parts. As an Electronics Test Technician, you will investigate issues related to process control, SCADA systems, and instrumentation and suggest effective solutions. You will be responsible for analyzing and repairing broken printed circuit boards (PCB) and creating documentation for the testing of PCB assemblies. Other duties include compiling product reports and presenting these to the company heads, ensuring to maintain testing equipment, and performing multipoint safety inspections of products.

Test technician vs electronic test technician salary

Test technicians and electronic test technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Test Technician	Electronic Test Technician
Average salary	$43,171	$43,020
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $61,000	Between $32,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Bethesda, MD
Highest paying state	Hawaii	Hawaii
Best paying company	Nokia	Sandia National Labs
Best paying industry	Technology	Energy

Differences between test technician and electronic test technician education

There are a few differences between a test technician and an electronic test technician in terms of educational background:

	Test Technician	Electronic Test Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Associate Degree, 60%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Northeastern University	Northeastern University

Test technician vs electronic test technician demographics

Here are the differences between test technicians' and electronic test technicians' demographics:

	Test Technician	Electronic Test Technician
Average age	50	50
Gender ratio	Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4%	Male, 91.0% Female, 9.0%
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%

Differences between test technician and electronic test technician duties and responsibilities

Test technician example responsibilities.

Install and manage windows applications for the user, maintain servers and manage help desk operations.
Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.
Perform in-circuit emulation and boundary scan testing (JTAG).
Perform extensive testing on CVD, PVD, display and solar tooling.
Configure bios to better suit the operating system, motherboard and CPU's needs and requirements.
Use of micrometers, calipers, torque wrenches, rivet and crimping tools, electrical test equipment, drill presses.

Electronic test technician example responsibilities.

Manage work load for new equipment builds for PC refresh for end of lease equipment and new user setups.
Key interface for, DOD, NASA, FDA, IPC, and ISO inspections.
Perform software and hardware debugging.
Follow ESD procedures and written safety rules.
Test and troubleshoot complex wire harnesses and panel assemblies.
Test products to adhere to ISO 9000 and FDA regulations.

Test technician vs electronic test technician skills

Common test technician skills

Test Procedures, 8%
Test Results, 8%
Hand Tools, 7%
Test Data, 5%
RF, 5%
Engineering Drawings, 4%

Common electronic test technician skills

RF, 9%
Oscilloscopes, 8%
Test Procedures, 7%
Test Data, 6%
Hand Tools, 6%
Test Results, 4%

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Test Technician vs Electronic Test Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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