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Computer support engineer vs computer support technician

The differences between computer support engineers 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 support engineer and a computer support technician. Additionally, a computer support engineer has an average salary of $79,531, which is higher than the $41,852 average annual salary of a computer support technician.

The top three skills for a computer support engineer include CAD, PCB and linux. The most important skills for a computer support technician are customer service, technical support, and computer support.

Computer support engineer vs computer support technician overview

Computer Support EngineerComputer Support Technician
Yearly salary$79,531$41,852
Hourly rate$38.24$20.12
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs122,786121,180
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Computer support engineer vs computer support technician salary

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

Computer Support EngineerComputer Support Technician
Average salary$79,531$41,852
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $106,000Between $34,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityMountain View, CALompoc, CA
Highest paying stateOregonCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleLawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between computer support engineer and computer support technician education

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

Computer Support EngineerComputer Support Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringComputer Science
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer support engineer vs computer support technician demographics

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

Computer Support EngineerComputer Support Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 86.1% Female, 13.9%Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 14.7% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between computer support engineer and computer support technician duties and responsibilities

Computer support engineer example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish many networking projects and utilize many command line level processing for LINUX / UNIX operating base systems.
  • Manage inventory of forensic hardware and software utilities of forensic laboratory as well as maintaining forensic workstations and laboratory LAN.
  • Upgrade many UNIX / LINUX version operating systems independently.
  • Configure hardware/software for VPN networking.
  • Support all business applications and VPN connectivity internet and modem applications
  • Manage inventory of forensic hardware and software utilities of forensic laboratory as well as maintaining forensic workstations and laboratory LAN.
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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 support engineer vs computer support technician skills

Common computer support engineer skills
  • CAD, 22%
  • PCB, 9%
  • Linux, 9%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • System Administration, 5%
  • Desk Support, 5%
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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