Salary for instrument technicians can vary significantly by sector, region and employer. Salaries for these professionals are typically categorized by four distinct regions across the U.S., which include New England, Mid-Atlantic, South and West. A rough estimation of an average hourly wage for an instrument technician is about $18 an hour.
Instrument technicians are the go-to professionals for technical assistance in the lab. Because they attend to a variety of instruments, they’re responsible for maintaining and repairing them. The traits and characteristics they need, along with their job duties, helping duties and salary range vary by location.
The salary for an instrument technician can vary widely depending on the type of industry they work in and the specific job they do. The average annual salary for instrument technicians was $48,000 as of 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Instrument technicians have a range of duties, including calibrating and maintaining laboratory instruments, maintaining quality control equipment such as gauges and balances, and troubleshooting problems with equipment. They also may be involved in designing new equipment or testing its performance under real-world conditions.
The BLS reports that about half of all instrument technicians work for manufacturers; other common employers include scientific research and development services companies, hospitals and outpatient care centers, colleges and universities, pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and government agencies (including military installations).
Salary for instrument technician
An instrumentation technician should be able to test, maintain and repair electronic, mechanical, and pneumatic instruments used to record and report data.
The systems they work on contribute to various procedures, including surgeries, metalworking, and woodworking. Read on to learn more about their professional responsibilities, educational requirements, and salary expectations.
An instrumentation technician will test, calibrate, install and inspect manufacturing equipment and monitoring devices. They will also work alongside electronic engineers or process technicians on the basic design.
Other responsibilities revolve around performing general maintenance on the equipment, adjusting system components, and replacing defective parts.
Skills Needed
Instrumentation technicians must possess an excellent eye for detail to identify problems and correct them quickly. They must remain up-to-date on the different tools needed to calibrate, adjust and restore various instruments. Since they perform a wide range of tasks using their hands, manual dexterity is also important.
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Instrument technicians should also maintain excellent written and oral communication skills. Discussing repair plans with customers is a big part of the job, and technicians need to explain specific procedures and write up reports regarding the status of certain instruments and equipment.
Other important skills include:
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
- Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
- Analytical Thinking
- Computer and Mechanical
Working Conditions and Environment
People depend on instrumentation technicians to monitor devices and test systems up and running, which can create some pressure. Fortunately, they have many different machines and tools at their disposal to maintain, repair, calibrate and restore various instruments.
Most of their day is spent working with their hands. However, instrumentation technicians may also spend some time working with scientific and analytic computer software, calculators, voltage and current meters, and electronic probes to diagnose faults in circuitry.
Most often, instrument technicians will work a set number of hours each week. They do not usually have to work overnight or on holidays, though they may occasionally be asked to work overtime or over the weekend.
Job Prospects
Instrumentation technicians will most commonly find work in chemical plants, petroleum refineries, canneries, and food processing plants, though the opportunities don’t end there.
There is a high demand for instrument technicians across the electromedical industry and businesses that monitor air and water pollution. These industries rely on precise monitoring equipment and must ensure they continue operating correctly.
Typically, an instrumentation technician will start out working as an assistant to a professional technician. As they move forward in their careers, instrumentation technicians can invest in a specialty area, working with medical equipment or mechanical instruments, for instance.
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Education and Training Requirements
While it is possible to break into the field with a high school diploma or equivalent, most employers prefer additional certification or an associate degree. A postsecondary degree will also help deliver technicians a strong foundation in mathematics, computer software, and mechanical skills. This process typically takes around two years to complete.
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Instrumentation Technician Salaries
Full-time instrumentation technicians earn an average salary of $59,800 per year. Though, salaries for technician jobs may vary depending on experience, education, and geographical location. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $95,340.
Conclusion
The New England Institute of Technology can help students prepare for successful careers in instrumentation. Our degree programs in engineering technology will provide you the education, skills, and training in some of the most robust, emerging fields of the 21st Century.
Students can access a number of resources on our Rhode Island campus to help them pursue successful careers in the field. Our Career Services department is also available to help graduates start their job search immediately upon graduation. Get in touch with one of our representatives today!