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The differences between computer specialists and computer support specialists 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 specialist and a computer support specialist. Additionally, a computer specialist has an average salary of $75,950, which is higher than the $63,926 average annual salary of a computer support specialist.
The top three skills for a computer specialist include data entry, troubleshoot and computer system. The most important skills for a computer support specialist are computer support, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Computer Specialist | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $75,950 | $63,926 |
| Hourly rate | $36.51 | $30.73 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 75,054 | 114,029 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A computer specialist's responsibilities typically revolve around installing and repairing computer hardware and software. They meet with clients to identify their needs, examine and troubleshoot equipment, perform upgrades, and discuss the extent of repairs or replacements to clients. In a company setting, a computer specialist is in charge of overseeing an array of equipment, conducting regular maintenance checks, and performing corrective measures as needed. Furthermore, they must provide technical support, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A Computer Support Specialist is responsible for providing the highest customer service for clients with technical and system issues, resolving network failures, and creating support tickets for IT personnel. Computer Support Specialists utilize various system tools and applications to diagnose end-users network issues and conduct immediate troubleshooting. They also help the IT staff design and improve system features and infrastructures and create instructional manuals for deliverables. A Computer Support Specialist must have excellent technical and communication skills to document customers' requests and identify system solutions.
Computer specialists and computer support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Specialist | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $75,950 | $63,926 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $97,000 | Between $44,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a computer specialist and a computer support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Computer Specialist | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between computer specialists' and computer support specialists' demographics:
| Computer Specialist | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.8% Female, 29.2% | Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 11.7% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |