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The differences between applications support engineers and technical support engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an applications support engineer, becoming a technical support engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an applications support engineer has an average salary of $89,928, which is higher than the $85,716 average annual salary of a technical support engineer.
The top three skills for an applications support engineer include java, application support and database. The most important skills for a technical support engineer are technical support, customer service, and troubleshoot.
| Applications Support Engineer | Technical Support Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $89,928 | $85,716 |
| Hourly rate | $43.23 | $41.21 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 222,780 | 184,542 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
An applications support engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the application and network systems to support business operations and functions. Applications support engineers work on the installation of updates, upgrade system infrastructure, and resolve technical process issues and gaps. They also analyze the condition of existing applications and modify procedures to improve stability and configuration. An applications support engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills to identify failure sources and create resolution manuals to prevent downtime reoccurrence.
A technical support engineer is responsible for responding to customer issues, providing immediate resolutions to their system issues through remote assistance. Technical support engineers must have strong knowledge of software and hardware applications to diagnose system defects and process troubleshooting. They also assist customers with the installation of programs and updates to improve system performance, escalating high-level concerns to appropriate internal technology teams. A technical support engineer must have strong command with technical systems, as well as excellent communication and time-management skills to understand clients' issues while documenting procedures.
Applications support engineers and technical support engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Applications Support Engineer | Technical Support Engineer | |
| Average salary | $89,928 | $85,716 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $120,000 | Between $61,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | ICE Mortgage Technology | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between an applications support engineer and a technical support engineer in terms of educational background:
| Applications Support Engineer | Technical Support Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between applications support engineers' and technical support engineers' demographics:
| Applications Support Engineer | Technical Support Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.8% Female, 19.2% | Male, 83.3% Female, 16.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 30.0% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |