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The differences between bench technicians and computer technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a bench technician, becoming a computer technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a bench technician has an average salary of $41,317, which is higher than the $39,767 average annual salary of a computer technician.
The top three skills for a bench technician include troubleshoot, PC and windows. The most important skills for a computer technician are customer service, desk support, and network printers.
| Bench Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,317 | $39,767 |
| Hourly rate | $19.86 | $19.12 |
| Growth rate | - | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 79,375 | 95,688 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 50 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
A Bench Technician specializes in installing, maintaining, and repairing electronic equipment and machinery. Although the extent of their responsibilities primarily depends on their place or employment industry, it typically includes conducting inspections and assessments, programming and troubleshooting systems, replacing and fixing components, and producing progress reports as needed. Moreover, a Bench Technician must maintain an active communication line with co-workers while adhering to its safety standards and regulations for a safe and efficient work environment.
Computer technicians are skilled information technology professionals who handle concerns related to computers. They are responsible for assisting clients in software installations, troubleshooting needs, and repair needs. Computer technicians handle the maintenance and repair of both software and hardware of computers. They should be able to quickly pinpoint the causes of computer problems that the client encounters. They should also be able to answer the clients' computer-related inquiries and provide advice on proper computer handling. Computer technicians should have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Bench technicians and computer technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Bench Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Average salary | $41,317 | $39,767 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $57,000 | Between $28,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Alexandria, VA |
| Highest paying state | - | Virginia |
| Best paying company | - | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a bench technician and a computer technician in terms of educational background:
| Bench Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between bench technicians' and computer technicians' demographics:
| Bench Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Average age | 50 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6% | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |