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Computer network specialist vs computer support technician

The differences between computer network specialists and computer support 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 network specialist and a computer support technician. Additionally, a computer network specialist has an average salary of $60,733, which is higher than the $41,852 average annual salary of a computer support technician.

The top three skills for a computer network specialist include computer system, customer service and computer network. The most important skills for a computer support technician are customer service, technical support, and computer support.

Computer network specialist vs computer support technician overview

Computer Network SpecialistComputer Support Technician
Yearly salary$60,733$41,852
Hourly rate$29.20$20.12
Growth rate5%10%
Number of jobs84,242121,180
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4342
Years of experience22

Computer network specialist vs computer support technician salary

Computer network specialists and computer support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer Network SpecialistComputer Support Technician
Average salary$60,733$41,852
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $85,000Between $34,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CALompoc, CA
Highest paying stateWest VirginiaCalifornia
Best paying companySoftentialLawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between computer network specialist and computer support technician education

There are a few differences between a computer network specialist and a computer support technician in terms of educational background:

Computer Network SpecialistComputer Support Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer network specialist vs computer support technician demographics

Here are the differences between computer network specialists' and computer support technicians' demographics:

Computer Network SpecialistComputer Support Technician
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 85.1% Female, 14.9%Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 11.7% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between computer network specialist and computer support technician duties and responsibilities

Computer network specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead the Linux desktop team in both training and deployment as well as end user support.
  • Lead effort to develop and maintain client's database by customizing existing computer information systems to support operating objectives.
  • Engineer network projects including cable, socket and patch panel terminations including configuration of network routers, and switches and firewalls.
  • Implement hardware, software and network solutions, wire, wireless, and remote access, routers, switches, cabling.
  • Install and document 80 Cat5 Ethernet drops.
  • Load image on new PCs and other electronic devices.
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Computer support technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Used and become familiar with LINUX network file system.
  • Used Linux operating system to recover data from hard drives.
  • Support & troubleshoot VPN, Internet connections, email, browser and OS errors.
  • Network troubleshooting (proxy setting, TCP/IP configuration, DNS servers, etc . )
  • Install and configure new office computers to connect to the office network and the Internet via TCP/IP.
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Computer network specialist vs computer support technician skills

Common computer network specialist skills
  • Computer System, 11%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Computer Network, 9%
  • Technical Support, 9%
  • Switches, 5%
  • Troubleshoot, 4%
Common computer support technician skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Technical Support, 8%
  • Computer Support, 7%
  • Desk Support, 4%
  • Mac, 4%
  • Computer System, 4%

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