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The differences between computer assistants and computer repair technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a computer assistant and a computer repair technician. Additionally, a computer assistant has an average salary of $47,077, which is higher than the $32,627 average annual salary of a computer repair technician.
The top three skills for a computer assistant include computer equipment, software issues and customer support. The most important skills for a computer repair technician are troubleshoot, laptop computers, and computer system.
| Computer Assistant | Computer Repair Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $47,077 | $32,627 |
| Hourly rate | $22.63 | $15.69 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 33,400 | 109,196 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Associate Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Also referred to as customer support staff or technical support, a computer assistant describes and solves technical problems associated with computer systems and programs. Computer assistants provide telephone-based and on-site assistance to clients and customers. They use their communication and technical skills to help users with their computer troubleshooting problems. While some of them work in call centers, communicate via email or through online chat. It is also their responsibility to install and upgrade the computer software and hardware systems of their employer.
A computer repair technician installs, repairs, and maintains different computer equipment. Computer repair technicians repair and maintain computers and their servers. The technicians are responsible for configuring and building new hardware as well as installing and updating software packages. They have to be updated on the ever-evolving technology for certain job analysis and troubleshooting. Good computer repair technicians are investigative who are introspective, inquisitive, and intellectual. They are also methodical, logical, rational, and curious.
Computer assistants and computer repair technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Assistant | Computer Repair Technician | |
| Average salary | $47,077 | $32,627 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $83,000 | Between $25,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Saint Paul, MN |
| Highest paying state | New York | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Bristol-Myers Squibb | Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between a computer assistant and a computer repair technician in terms of educational background:
| Computer Assistant | Computer Repair Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Associate Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between computer assistants' and computer repair technicians' demographics:
| Computer Assistant | Computer Repair Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.8% Female, 44.2% | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 14.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 10.7% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |