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Why Technician Jobs Are Worth Considering
Technician roles are the backbone of a modern economy.
From keeping utilities running and production lines humming to ensuring the flawless functioning of life-saving medical equipment, technicians are the unacknowledged footsoldiers driving innovation and reliability across industries.
Recent advances in automation, AI, and renewable energy are further fuelling the demand for skilled technicians.
Take the global semiconductor industry, which is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030 and create massive demand for technicians who can operate and maintain complex machinery.
Similarly, biomedical equipment technicians are increasingly in demand with the US medical devices market poised to grow from $180 billion in 2024 to over $328 billion by 2034.
The real question is, what makes these and other technician roles worth relocating for?
Here are a few reasons:
- High Demand and Job Security: The skills gap in trades means technicians are in short supply. Labor-intensive technician roles face retention challenges, making qualified workers highly sought after. This demand translates to job stability, even in economic downturns.
- Competitive Salaries: Technician roles offer strong earning potential. Mechatronics technicians in the US, for instance, earn a median annual salary of $70,760. Semiconductor technicians, meanwhile, make $51,180 in median annual pay.
- Career Growth: Many technician roles offer robust opportunities for career advancement. An HVAC, for instance, can acquire additional certifications to move into specialized roles like energy management or building automation systems technician.
The decision to relocate, however, hinges on more than just compensation and career prospects. Let’s now explore other factors to consider.
Financial Considerations: Is the Money Worth the Move
One of the biggest drivers for relocating is the potential for a higher salary. For technicians, this bump can be significant in high-demand regions like tech hubs or industrial centers.
Salary Potential by Location
With salaries varying widely by region, industry, and role, where you work can significantly impact your earning potential as a technician.
Let’s dig into three technician roles to understand this point.
- Maintenance Technicians: The average annual salary for maintenance technicians in the US is $43,293. These professionals earn the highest salaries in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and California, with top-paying cities like Richmond, CA, and Boston, MA, offering averages upwards of $53,000.
- Automotive Technicians: They earn a median annual salary of $65,690. Automotive technicians working in Plano, Texas, however, can expect to make over $71,000 per annum in base salary, with the opportunity to take in significant additional sums in overtime pay.
- Aircraft Maintenance Technicians: These technicians earn an average annual salary of $62,932. When it comes to location, aircraft maintenance techs working in Everett, Washington, earn $114,978 per year, while those working in Los Angeles, California, make $92,984.
Cost of Living
A higher salary doesn’t always mean more money in your pocket. Although high-cost areas often pay more, salary gains may be offset by steeper living expenses.
Tech hubs like New York or Boston often come with steep living costs that can dig into your earnings. The cost of living in San Francisco, for instance, is 76% higher than the national average.
Use a cost-of-living calculator to compare your current expenses with those in the new location. Factor in housing, transportation, groceries, and taxes to ensure the salary increase outweighs the added costs.
Relocation Costs
Moving isn’t cheap. Expenses like hiring movers, securing a new home, and covering travel costs can add up quickly.
According to Forbes, the average cost of a long-distance move (up to 1,000 miles) ranges from $1,500 to $8,300 depending on distance and household size. Cross-country relocations, meanwhile, can set you back by $3,000 to $12,000.
Long-Term Financial Gains
Relocating for a technician job can be an investment in your future. Higher-paying roles in growing industries often come with opportunities for raises, bonuses, and career growth.
Mechatronics technicians, for instance, can start earning a median salary of up to $60,360 with relevant certifications. With experience or additional training, they can move into mechatronics engineering roles that offer a significantly higher $100,640 in median annual salary.
Weigh such long-term gains against short-term costs to determine if the move makes financial sense.
