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Computer technical specialist vs computer engineer

The differences between computer technical specialists and computer engineers 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 technical specialist and a computer engineer. Additionally, a computer engineer has an average salary of $96,805, which is higher than the $51,859 average annual salary of a computer technical specialist.

The top three skills for a computer technical specialist include CAD, mac and network printers. The most important skills for a computer engineer are python, software development, and java.

Computer technical specialist vs computer engineer overview

Computer Technical SpecialistComputer Engineer
Yearly salary$51,859$96,805
Hourly rate$24.93$46.54
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs130,207126,709
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Computer technical specialist vs computer engineer salary

Computer technical specialists and computer engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer Technical SpecialistComputer Engineer
Average salary$51,859$96,805
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $72,000Between $70,000 And $132,000
Highest paying CityKirkland, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyBrillioWaymo
Best paying industryEducationFinance

Differences between computer technical specialist and computer engineer education

There are a few differences between a computer technical specialist and a computer engineer in terms of educational background:

Computer Technical SpecialistComputer Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityHarvard University

Computer technical specialist vs computer engineer demographics

Here are the differences between computer technical specialists' and computer engineers' demographics:

Computer Technical SpecialistComputer Engineer
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 76.3% Female, 23.7%Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 11.0% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 15.0% White, 53.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between computer technical specialist and computer engineer duties and responsibilities

Computer technical specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage customer complaints and internal GMP audits for product manufacturing, coordinate FDA audits and recommend corrective actions.
  • Initiate and implement projects for cost reduction, productivity improvement, and increase equipment availability/reliability and to meet ISO compliance.
  • Assist with daily documentation and tracking of each customer concern using a SharePoint remedy ticketing system.

Computer engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage electronic files using the PDM system.
  • Script VBA to automate the creation of installation documents.
  • Manage DNS and Kerberos infrastructure services for the computing center.
  • Manage and design UAT tests for new software release, delegate out tasks, and report results back to QA department.
  • Manage automation jobs within Jenkins.
  • Manage collaborative CSV documentation efforts using Microsoft SharePoint.
  • Show more

Computer technical specialist vs computer engineer skills

Common computer technical specialist skills
  • CAD, 13%
  • Mac, 8%
  • Network Printers, 8%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Desk Support, 6%
  • OS, 4%
Common computer engineer skills
  • Python, 15%
  • Software Development, 8%
  • Java, 6%
  • Linux, 6%
  • C, 5%
  • C++, 5%

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