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Computer consultant vs computer repair technician

The differences between computer consultants 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 consultant and a computer repair technician. Additionally, a computer consultant has an average salary of $94,331, which is higher than the $32,627 average annual salary of a computer repair technician.

The top three skills for a computer consultant include technical support, database and linux. The most important skills for a computer repair technician are troubleshoot, laptop computers, and computer system.

Computer consultant vs computer repair technician overview

Computer ConsultantComputer Repair Technician
Yearly salary$94,331$32,627
Hourly rate$45.35$15.69
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs79,263109,196
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Associate Degree, 41%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a computer consultant do?

Computer Consultants assist a company's staff with computer system usage and issues. Computer consultants can be software programmers, hardware system installers, networking specialists, database specialists, and others.

What does a computer repair technician do?

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 consultant vs computer repair technician salary

Computer consultants and computer repair technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer ConsultantComputer Repair Technician
Average salary$94,331$32,627
Salary rangeBetween $67,000 And $131,000Between $25,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASaint Paul, MN
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMinnesota
Best paying companyNovartisErie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between computer consultant and computer repair technician education

There are a few differences between a computer consultant and a computer repair technician in terms of educational background:

Computer ConsultantComputer Repair Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Associate Degree, 41%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Computer consultant vs computer repair technician demographics

Here are the differences between computer consultants' and computer repair technicians' demographics:

Computer ConsultantComputer Repair Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 78.2% Female, 21.8%Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 13.2% White, 54.2% 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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between computer consultant and computer repair technician duties and responsibilities

Computer consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage hardware design, install custom Linux desktop operating system, integrate software written in C++.
  • Manage configuration and connectivity of customer virtual networks through VMware tools.
  • Convert existing VHS tapes into digital clips to use in Powerpoint.
  • Install and configure AcuConnect on the LINUX servers for thin client access from windows.
  • Diagnose connection to the on-campus networks and services through OS, VPN and/or proxy configuration.
  • Create, design and maintain web sites for small businesses using (HTML/DHTML, JavaScript, Perl/CGI )
  • Show more

Computer repair technician example responsibilities.

  • Recreate and manage company website, maintain regular updates, manage DNS servers, administrate e-mail and outlook exchange server.
  • Perform virus and spyware removal.
  • Maintain store supplies and orders with Quickbooks.
  • Perform QA testing for all steps of the process.
  • Web development utilizing HTML, CSS, PHP and MySQL.
  • Provide video and photo editing services and finish DVD creation.
  • Show more

Computer consultant vs computer repair technician skills

Common computer consultant skills
  • Technical Support, 11%
  • Database, 6%
  • Linux, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Desk Support, 5%
  • Microsoft Windows, 4%
Common computer repair technician skills
  • Troubleshoot, 12%
  • Laptop Computers, 10%
  • Computer System, 6%
  • Printers, 6%
  • Desktop Computers, 5%
  • Repair Computers, 5%

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