Instrumentation technicians are experts on working with instruments that measure and record changes in different types of industrial environments. These systems are crucial to the operation of canneries, chemical plants, petroleum refineries, and other facilities. Technicians test, certify, install, repair, inspect, maintain, and develop systems that measure things like temperature, pressure, humidity, altitude, pH, stress, as well as many other elements. They create graphs and reports and present them to industry personnel. They develop equipment that is nonstandard for specific tasks using engineering and equipment limitation data. They also install and calibrate telemetering and recording circuits. Read More>>
They may design and build such related equipment as jibs, fixtures, and instruments. They may make sure that new devices created by other workers are acceptable. They often troubleshoot, repair, and perform preventative maintenance. Some work in the field, installing and maintaining equipment at job sites. These field service technicians provide preventative and corrective maintenance, and they give advice to customers regarding proper use of equipment. Sometimes they may train employees to use the equipment themselves.
Job Skills
Instrumentation technicians should have good manual dexterity. They also need to have quality, color vision. Because they are required to prepare written reports and give verbal presentations, they need to have excellent written and oral skills. They should have an aptitude for electronics work.
Income
Instrumentation technicians without much experience in the occupation make between $8 and $13 per hour. Journey-level workers may earn $11 to $20 per hour. Those in senior positions can make over $27 per hour. Most technicians work a standard 40-hour workweek, Monday through Friday. Many work swing and night shifts as well. Field technicians have the option of unlimited overtime because they usually work on an on-call basis.
Training and Education
Most employers of instrumentation technicians require either an Associate of Arts or Science degree, 2 or 3 years of work experience, or graduation from a private technical school program. Many community colleges and technical schools offer training in this specific occupation. Students study electronics and electrical circuitry theory, as well as gain hands-on experience in the laboratory. Some technicians can be eligible for becoming certified through the Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technicians, as well as other organizations.
Usually, candidates must have graduated from a qualified technical school to be eligible for certification. High school students interested in the occupation should take courses in mathematics, general physics, and laboratory science. Instrumentation technicians can advance to supervisory positions and, if they earn a bachelor of science degree, they can advance to a number of professional engineering positions. Visit this page about trade schools for more information on related careers.
Job Outlook
Between 2002 and 2012, employment of instrumentation technicians is expected to increase about as fast as the average. This will be due mostly to the continued need for industry to modernize, install labor-saving systems, and replace old systems with new technologies. Opportunities will be best for those with associate or bachelor of science degrees.
