Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between valve technicians and instrument technician apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a valve technician, becoming an instrument technician apprentice takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a valve technician has an average salary of $41,020, which is higher than the $39,849 average annual salary of an instrument technician apprentice.
The top three skills for a valve technician include control valves, hand tools and actuators. The most important skills for an instrument technician apprentice are hand tools, customer satisfaction, and diagnosis.
Valve technicians install regulating devices such as valves. They are responsible for monitoring, testing, and troubleshooting valves. Valves are essential controlling devices for plumbing in residential houses. In commercial and industrial buildings, valves may be required for regulating chemicals.
An instrument technician apprentice is responsible for performing installation and repairs on various electrical equipment and instruments such as control panels and motors, all while under the supervision and directives of a senior or master technician. Typically, their tasks revolve around conducting regular maintenance checks, coordinating with other technicians, organizing supplies, operating electrical tools, and understanding various electronic principles. Furthermore, there are also instances where one may liaise with clients to discuss the extent of damage or repairs, building positive relationships in the process to secure a client base.
Valve technicians and instrument technician apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Valve Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $41,020 | $39,849 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $59,000 | Between $27,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | - | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a valve technician and an instrument technician apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Valve Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 28% |
| Most common major | General Studies | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between valve technicians' and instrument technician apprentices' demographics:
| Valve Technician | Instrument Technician Apprentice | |
| Average age | 45 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.5% Female, 8.5% | Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 2.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 2.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% | 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 | 9% | 8% |