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The differences between test technicians and engineering technician leads 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 engineering technician lead. Additionally, an engineering technician lead has an average salary of $107,373, 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 an engineering technician lead are java, python, and C++.
| Test Technician | Engineering Technician Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $43,171 | $107,373 |
| Hourly rate | $20.76 | $51.62 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 71,414 | 102,504 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| 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.
Engineering technician leads are technical professionals who lead a team to design and build prototypes of a planned product or equipment. These technician leads are required to provide advice and technical support to the engineering team to resolve technical issues as well as oversee system maintenance and enhancement. They must work with both product development and manufacturing engineers to improve the existing manufacturing processes. Engineering technician leads must also participate in activities related to maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment.
Test technicians and engineering technician leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Technician | Engineering Technician Lead | |
| Average salary | $43,171 | $107,373 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $61,000 | Between $80,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Palo Alto, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | California |
| Best paying company | Nokia | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a test technician and an engineering technician lead in terms of educational background:
| Test Technician | Engineering Technician Lead | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between test technicians' and engineering technician leads' demographics:
| Test Technician | Engineering Technician Lead | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% |
| 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% |