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The differences between test technicians and test analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a test technician, becoming a test analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a test analyst has an average salary of $70,997, 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 test analyst are test scripts, test plan, and regression.
| Test Technician | Test Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $43,171 | $70,997 |
| Hourly rate | $20.76 | $34.13 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 71,414 | 91,308 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 50 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
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 duties of a test analyst depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a test analyst is responsible for testing computer software or hardware to ensure its quality before being released in the market. They participate in the development process to monitor the product specifications, review and analyze documentation, and create test systems, implementing them promptly and efficiently. As a test analyst, it is essential to produce progress reports, prepare presentations, and even give recommendations.
Test technicians and test analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Technician | Test Analyst | |
| Average salary | $43,171 | $70,997 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $61,000 | Between $56,000 And $88,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Nokia | General Motors |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a test technician and a test analyst in terms of educational background:
| Test Technician | Test Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between test technicians' and test analysts' demographics:
| Test Technician | Test Analyst | |
| Average age | 50 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.6% Female, 16.4% | Male, 55.2% Female, 44.8% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |