What Does an Instrumentation Technician Do?
Instrumentation technicians ensure the proper functioning of automated manufacturing equipment. They use a variety of instruments and devices to record and report data. Read on to learn more about their job duties, educational requirements, and career outlook.
Instrumentation Technician Job Description
Most instrumentation technicians work for manufacturing plants, making sure that equipment is working properly, safely, and efficiently. As an instrumentation technician, you will test, calibrate, install, repair, and inspect manufacturing equipment and monitoring devices. You'll also perform general maintenance on the equipment and design new measuring and recording equipment. You may collect environmental data and monitor the pollution output of the plant. On a typical day, you will work with scientific and analytic computer software, calculators, voltage and current meters, and electronic probes to diagnose faults in circuitry.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutInstrumentationTechnicians">Important Facts About Instrumentation Technicians</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Required Education </td><td> High school diploma or equivalent; associate's degree preferred</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Strong mathematics foundation, reading comprehension, problem-solving, critical and analytical thinking, computer and mechanical skills, clear written and spoken communication, clear judgment and decision making</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Architectural, engineering, and related firms; semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing companies; navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing; federal government</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Electrical and electronics engineers; electrical and electronics installers and repairers; electromechanical technicians; mechanical engineering technicians</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2019)** </td><td> $65,000</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2018-2028)* </td><td> 0% growth (for all electrical and electronics engineering technicians)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Payscale.com</i>
</p><h3 id="section---IndustriesThatEmployInstrumentationTechnicians">Industries that Employ Instrumentation Technicians</h3><p>Instrumentation technicians work in chemical plants, petroleum refineries, canneries, and food processing plants as well as other businesses that must control and monitor their air and water pollution. These industries require extremely precise measuring and monitoring equipment to regulate flow and pressure rates, keep track of production, manage power use, and ensure safety.
</p><h3 id="section---RequiredEducation">Required Education</h3><p>A minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required to <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_are_the_Required_Classes_to_Become_an_Instrumentation_Technician.html">work as an instrumentation technician</a>, but post-secondary coursework is helpful in the field. Instrumentation technicians need a strong background in mathematics, computer software, and mechanical skills. Many employers strongly prefer candidates with an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Robotics_Technology_Associates_Degree_Program.html">associate's degree in robotics</a> or instrumentation.
</p><h3 id="section---Certification">Certification</h3><p>The National Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technologies (NICET) offers a certification program for instrumentation technicians. Certification is available at four different levels (<i>www.nicet.org</i>). If you wanted to become certified, you'd choose a level of certification based on your professional experience, knowledge, and skill level. You'd then need to pass the organization's exam, which covers your knowledge of electrical and pneumatic instrumentation systems, systems maintenance, installation, and record keeping.
</p><p>Level I certification is designed for entry-level technicians who work under constant supervision, while Level II certification is available for technicians who receive general daily supervision. Intermediate level technicians are eligible for Level III certification and require little to no supervision. Senior-level technicians can earn Level IV certification and are responsible for supervising others.
</p><h3 id="section---InstrumentationTechnicianSalariesAndJobOutlook">Instrumentation Technician Salaries and Job Outlook</h3><p>According to <i>PayScale.com</i>, the majority of instrumentation and controls technicians earned between $45,000 and $94,000 a year, as of September 2019, with a median annual salary of around $65,000 a year. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, <i>www.bls.gov</i>) does not provide information specific to the field of instrumentation technology, the BLS did project that the employment of electrical and electronics engineering technicians will likely see little or no growth between 2018 and 2028. Because of strong competition for jobs in the field, earning certification may help provide more employment prospects.</p>