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The differences between computer system technicians and computer 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 system technician and a computer technician. Additionally, a computer system technician has an average salary of $68,788, which is higher than the $39,767 average annual salary of a computer technician.
The top three skills for a computer system technician include technical support, electronic equipment and trouble tickets. The most important skills for a computer technician are customer service, desk support, and network printers.
| Computer System Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $68,788 | $39,767 |
| Hourly rate | $33.07 | $19.12 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 99,879 | 95,688 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Computer system technicians provide support for a company's operating systems. They monitor the system's overall performance and catch errors to resolve as soon as possible. These technicians use software that ensures a network's functional performance, maintains hardware that can affect the system's performance, and relays computer reports to clients in layman's terms. Their jobs include training employees on using the company's hardware and software resources, thus the importance of quickly familiarizing with the system.
Computer technicians are skilled information technology professionals who handle concerns related to computers. They are responsible for assisting clients in software installations, troubleshooting needs, and repair needs. Computer technicians handle the maintenance and repair of both software and hardware of computers. They should be able to quickly pinpoint the causes of computer problems that the client encounters. They should also be able to answer the clients' computer-related inquiries and provide advice on proper computer handling. Computer technicians should have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Computer system technicians and computer technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer System Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Average salary | $68,788 | $39,767 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $91,000 | Between $28,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pawtucket, RI | Alexandria, VA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Berkshire Hathaway | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a computer system technician and a computer technician in terms of educational background:
| Computer System Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between computer system technicians' and computer technicians' demographics:
| Computer System Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |