How much do Science Technicians (All) make a year?
How much money does a Science Technician make? Science Technicians: Key Features, The Work, Yearly Salary, Prospects
What do science technicians do?
Engineering and science technicians work in all phases of business and government from research and design to manufacturing, sales, and customer service. Although their jobs are more limited in scope and more practically oriented than those of engineers or scientists, technicians often apply theoretical knowledge developed by engineers and scientists to actual situations.
Science Technicians specialize in one of the many areas of this broad category of careers and their duties within these areas also tend to vary considerably. A more detailed description of the nature of the work in these areas is provided in the following sections on each area.
Science Technician Career
Career changers will find it is generally possible to enter this field with various combinations of formal training and work experience. It is becoming increasingly important, however, to have formal training for some entry level openings and for advancement to more responsible positions. Training programs vary in length, but many last two years.
How much does a Science Technician make?
Employment prospects for engineering and science technicians are good and the field is expected to grow faster than the national average in coming years. Income advancement potential in this field is limited, however. Technicians generally make between $45,000 and $50,000 a year to start. Senior technicians average about $63,000 a year, though many make considerably more.
The average salary for a Science Technician in United State
Annual Salary $51,100
Monthly Salary $4,200
Weekly Salary $1,050
Hourly Salary $24
Science Technician Requirements
Entry Requirements in Prior Experience:
Career changers who have certain types of previous work experience may find they have an advantage when seeking employment opportunities. Depending on the particular field of engineering or science technology desired, work as an electronics, appliance, or air conditioning, heating and refrigeration repair serviceperson may be very helpful. The armed forces also provide training and valuable experience in certain areas of engineering and science technology, notably in the electronics field.
Entry Requirements in Personal Qualities:
Career changers interested in a career as an engineering or science technician should have an aptitude for mathematics and science and enjoy technical work. An ability to do detailed work with a high degree of accuracy is necessary and for design work, creative talent is also desirable.
Technicians are part of a scientific team, and often work closely with engineers and scientists, as well as with other technicians and skilled workers. Some technicians, such as repair and maintenance technicians, should be able to work independently. Because technicians work with various tools and equipment, manual dexterity is also important.
Entry Requirements in Training and Education:
There are a variety of ways to get the professional training needed to become an engineering or science technician. There are programs ranging from one to two years offered by vocational and technical institutes, community colleges, and extension divisions ofcolleges. Some employer run training programs are available and there are also programs offered through correspondence schools. Two to four year apprenticeship programs are also available. In some cases, work experience may qualify an individual for a position as a technician, though some post secondary training is becoming increasingly important for advancement to more responsible jobs.
In production, technicians usually follow the plans and general directions of engineers and scientists, but often without close supervision. They may prepare specifications for materials, devise tests to insure product quality, or study ways to improve the efficiency of an operation. They often supervise production workers to make sure they follow prescribed plans and procedures. As a product is built, technicians check to see that specifications are followed, keep engineers and scientists informed on progress, and investigate production problems.
As sales workers or field representatives for manufacturers, technicians give advice on installation and maintenance of complex machinery, and may write specifications and technical manuals.
The nature of the work in each main area of engineering and science technology is as follows:
Aeronautical Technicians
Aeronautical technicians work with engineers and scientists to design and produce aircraft, rockets, guided missiles, and spacecraft. Many aid engineers in preparing design layouts and models of structures, control systems, or equipment installations by collecting information, making computations, and performing laboratory tests. These technicians frequently work as manufacturers’ field service representatives, serving as the link between their company and the military services, commercial airlines, and customers. Technicians may also prepare technical information for instruction manuals, bulletins, catalogs, and other literature.
Air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration technicians design, manufacture, sell, and service equipment to regulate indoor temperatures. Technicians in this field often specialize in one area, such as refrigeration, and sometimes in a particular type of activity, such as research and development. Those who work in manufacturing generally assist in the design and testing of new equipment. Others may work as sales specialists who supply information on installation, performance ratings, and other specifications. Still other technicians may work in customer service (see career description for air- conditioning, heating, and refrigeration mechanic).
Chemical Technicians
Chemical technicians work with chemists and chemical engineers to develop, sell, and utilize chemical and related products and equipment. Most chemical technicians do research and development, testing, or other laboratory work. They often set up and conduct tests on processes and products being developed or improved. Chemical technicians in production generally put into commercial operation those products or processes developed in research laboratories. They assist in making final design, instal lingequipment,andtrainingandsupervisingoperators on the production line. Technicians in quality control test materials, production processes, and final products to ensure that they meet the manufacturer’s specifications and quality standards. Many also sell chemicals or chemical products as technical sales personnel.
Civil Engineering Technicians
Civil engineering technicians assist civil engineers in planning, designing, and constructing highways, bridges, dams, and other structures. They often specialize in one area, such as highway or structural technolog). During the planning stage, they estimate cost, prepare specifications for materials, or participate in surveying, drafting, or designing. Once construction begins, they assist the contractor or superintendent in scheduling construction activities or inspecting the work to assure conformance to blueprints and specifications.
Electronics Technicians
Electronics technicians develop, manufacture, and service electronic equipment and systems. The types of equipment range from radio, radar, sonar, and television to industrial and medical measuring or control devices, navigational equipment, and computers. Because the field is so broad, technicians often specialize in one area, such as automatic control devices or electronic amplifiers. Furthermore, technological advances are constantly opening up new areas of work, such as integrated circuit technolog.
When working in design, production, or customer service, electronic technicians use sophisticated measuring and diagnostic devices to test, adjust, and repair equipment. In many cases, they must understand the field in which the electronic device is being used. To design equipment for space exploration, for example, technicians must consider the special weight and stress requirements. Some electronic technicians also work in technical sales, while others work in the radio and television broadcasting industry.
Industrial Engineering Technicians
Industrial engineering technicians assist engineers on problems involving the efficient use of personnel, materials, and machines to produce goods and services. They prepare layouts of machinery and equipment, plan the flow of work, make statistical studies, and analyze production costs. These technicians also conduct time and motion studies to improve production methods and procedures in manufacturing plants. Many industrial engineering technicians acquire experience that enables them to qualify forjobs in other areas, such as industrial safety, personnel hiring and training, or production supervision.
Instrumentation Technicians
Instrumentation technicians work in a fast growing field that is involved in automated manufacturing and industrial processes, oceanographic and space exploration, weather forecasting, satellite communications systems, environmental protection, and medical research. Technicians in this field help develop and design complex measuring and control devices, such as those in a spacecraft that sense and measure changes in heat or pressure, automaticallv record data, and make necessary adjustments. These technicians have extensive knowledge of physical sciences as well as electrical electronic and mechanical engineering.
Mathematical Technicians
Mathematical technicians work with scientific and engineering personnel to solve technological problems encountered in research and development and other areas. They apply standardized mathematical formulas to raw data to help translate these data into usable equations, graphs, and other forms. Mathematical technicians often use computers, calculators, and other data processing equipment.
Mechanical Engineering Technicians
Mechanical engineering technicians work in a broad range ofspecialized areas, including automotive, diesel, and production technology and tool and machine design. These technicians assist engineers in design and development work by making freehand sketches and rough layouts of proposed machinery and other equipment and parts. Technicians must have a knowledge of mechanical principles and be able to analyze the costs and practical value of designs. In planning and testing equipment, technicians conduct tests, analyze results, and may sometimes also recommend design changes. They also help plan and set up production equipment once the new equipment is ready for manufacture.
Tool Designers
Tool designers prepare sketches of designs for cutting tools, jigs, dies, special fixtures, and other devices used in mass production. Frequently, they redesign existing tools to improve their efficiency. They also make or supervise others who make detailed drawings of tools and fixtures.
Robotics Engineering Technicians
Robotics engineering technicians work in a new and rapidlv developing specialty within the mechanical engineering field. Computer driven robots are being used in increasing numbers in manufacturing processes and many experts agree that many tens of thousands more of them will be in use by the end of this decade. Robotics engineering technicians are thus likely to be in high demand, to help in development, installation, servicing, and monitoring of robotics equipment. While many technicians in this specialty have completed two year training programs in mechanical or electronics engineering, an increasing number are being trained by the companies which use the equipment. These specialists are usually drawn from the ranks of production workers employed by the company.
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