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The differences between computer assistants and information systems technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a computer assistant, becoming an information systems technician takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a computer assistant has an average salary of $47,077, which is higher than the $46,346 average annual salary of an information systems technician.
The top three skills for a computer assistant include computer equipment, software issues and customer support. The most important skills for an information systems technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Computer Assistant | Information Systems Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $47,077 | $46,346 |
| Hourly rate | $22.63 | $22.28 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 33,400 | 173,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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.
An information systems technician is responsible for maintaining the efficiency of various network systems' performance. Information systems technicians provide network troubleshooting, upgrading systems for optimization, maintaining the security of databases, managing the interaction of networks, and inspecting and troubleshooting system inconsistencies. Additional duties include creating network designs based on clients' specifications, configuring software and hardware applications, and creating reports on system issues and resolutions. An information systems technician must have excellent knowledge of information systems procedures, programming languages, detecting malfunctions, and making resolutions promptly.
Computer assistants and information systems technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Assistant | Information Systems Technician | |
| Average salary | $47,077 | $46,346 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $83,000 | Between $28,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Rahway, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Bristol-Myers Squibb | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a computer assistant and an information systems technician in terms of educational background:
| Computer Assistant | Information Systems Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between computer assistants' and information systems technicians' demographics:
| Computer Assistant | Information Systems Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.8% Female, 44.2% | Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |