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The differences between assistive technology specialists and systems specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an assistive technology specialist and a systems specialist. Additionally, a systems specialist has an average salary of $86,020, which is higher than the $52,611 average annual salary of an assistive technology specialist.
The top three skills for an assistive technology specialist include rehabilitation, adaptive and technical support. The most important skills for a systems specialist are customer service, veterans, and troubleshoot.
| Assistive Technology Specialist | Systems Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $52,611 | $86,020 |
| Hourly rate | $25.29 | $41.36 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 121,308 | 127,812 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An Assistive Technology Specialist helps clients to obtain assistive devices that fit their needs. They facilitate access to these devices by maintaining an open communication line with clients and staff, handling calls and correspondence, arranging appointments, answering inquiries, and explaining services to potential clients. Besides helping clients obtain equipment and services, they also provide technical support and assistance to meet their needs, making them feel at ease every step of the way. Moreover, an Assistive Technology Specialist must keep extensive records and implement standards and policies.
Systems specialists are professionals who maintain, troubleshoot, and install information and computer systems. They identify the software, data, and hardware needs of companies. Generally, they work in physically demanding indoor environments installing complicated networks. They manage, lead, and coordinate technical support for new software, upgrades, and products. Also, they configure systems for the users and assess data from different sources to make a decision.
Assistive technology specialists and systems specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assistive Technology Specialist | Systems Specialist | |
| Average salary | $52,611 | $86,020 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $71,000 | Between $61,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | Dover, DE | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | California |
| Best paying company | CENTER FOR SIGHT | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Internet | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an assistive technology specialist and a systems specialist in terms of educational background:
| Assistive Technology Specialist | Systems Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between assistive technology specialists' and systems specialists' demographics:
| Assistive Technology Specialist | Systems Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.8% Female, 60.2% | Male, 74.2% Female, 25.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.7% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |