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The differences between computer support technicians and information systems technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a computer support technician, becoming an information systems technician takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an information systems technician has an average salary of $46,346, which is higher than the $41,852 average annual salary of a computer support technician.
The top three skills for a computer support technician include customer service, technical support and computer support. The most important skills for an information systems technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Computer Support Technician | Information Systems Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,852 | $46,346 |
| Hourly rate | $20.12 | $22.28 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 121,180 | 173,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A computer support technician is responsible for diagnosing and resolving computer and network issues, identifying the source of malfunctions, and improving infrastructure to avoid downtimes and operational delays. Computer support technicians manage the efficiency of all equipment and peripherals for the computers, assist in installing components, and keeping adequate resources or alternatives for defective items. They also recommend minimal costs technology materials and create troubleshooting manuals for reference, ensuring that the network processes adhere to internal guidelines and regulations.
An information systems technician is responsible for maintaining the efficiency of various network systems' performance. Information systems technicians provide network troubleshooting, upgrading systems for optimization, maintaining the security of databases, managing the interaction of networks, and inspecting and troubleshooting system inconsistencies. Additional duties include creating network designs based on clients' specifications, configuring software and hardware applications, and creating reports on system issues and resolutions. An information systems technician must have excellent knowledge of information systems procedures, programming languages, detecting malfunctions, and making resolutions promptly.
Computer support technicians and information systems technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Support Technician | Information Systems Technician | |
| Average salary | $41,852 | $46,346 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $51,000 | Between $28,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lompoc, CA | Rahway, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Government |
There are a few differences between a computer support technician and an information systems technician in terms of educational background:
| Computer Support Technician | Information Systems Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between computer support technicians' and information systems technicians' demographics:
| Computer Support Technician | Information Systems Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% | Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |