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The differences between computer specialists and 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 specialist. Additionally, a computer specialist has an average salary of $75,950, which is higher than the $58,013 average annual salary of a specialist.
The top three skills for a computer specialist include data entry, troubleshoot and computer system. The most important skills for a specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.
| Computer Specialist | Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $75,950 | $58,013 |
| Hourly rate | $36.51 | $27.89 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 75,054 | 358,433 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| 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.
Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.
Computer specialists and specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Specialist | Specialist | |
| Average salary | $75,950 | $58,013 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $97,000 | Between $32,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Apple | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Professional | - |
There are a few differences between a computer specialist and a specialist in terms of educational background:
| Computer Specialist | Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between computer specialists' and specialists' demographics:
| Computer Specialist | Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.8% Female, 29.2% | Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5% |
| 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, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |