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The differences between computer repair technicians and information technology 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 repair technician and an information technology technician. Additionally, an information technology technician has an average salary of $49,031, which is higher than the $32,627 average annual salary of a computer repair technician.
The top three skills for a computer repair technician include troubleshoot, laptop computers and computer system. The most important skills for an information technology technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Computer Repair Technician | Information Technology Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,627 | $49,031 |
| Hourly rate | $15.69 | $23.57 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 109,196 | 118,881 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
An information technology technician, also known as an IT technician, is responsible for ensuring that all computer systems in a company or organization are running smoothly and efficiently. Their duties primarily revolve around installing and maintaining systems, including software and hardware, and resolving any issues. They also provide technical support such as troubleshooting, navigation, and even system upgrades. Furthermore, an information technology technician can choose whether to work for a company or independently.
Computer repair technicians and information technology technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Repair Technician | Information Technology Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,627 | $49,031 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $41,000 | Between $28,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Saint Paul, MN | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES | Cravath |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a computer repair technician and an information technology technician in terms of educational background:
| Computer Repair Technician | Information Technology Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between computer repair technicians' and information technology technicians' demographics:
| Computer Repair Technician | Information Technology Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0% | Male, 84.8% Female, 15.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 11.8% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |