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The differences between computer technicians and information technology/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 technician and an information technology/support technician. Additionally, an information technology/support technician has an average salary of $45,591, which is higher than the $39,767 average annual salary of a computer technician.
The top three skills for a computer technician include customer service, desk support and network printers. The most important skills for an information technology/support technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and computer system.
| Computer Technician | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,767 | $45,591 |
| Hourly rate | $19.12 | $21.92 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 95,688 | 161,748 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
An information technology (IT) support technician is an individual who is responsible for providing support and troubleshoots software and hardware problems faced by customers. As for larger organizations that have their own IT department, technicians must work together internally with their IT staff members. IT support technicians are involved in inspecting and resolving minor local area network and wireless network issues, which include TCP/IP, DHCP, and VPN. They are also required to obtain an associate's degree in computer science or related field.
Computer technicians and information technology/support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Technician | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,767 | $45,591 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $55,000 | Between $31,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Alexandria, VA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between a computer technician and an information technology/support technician in terms of educational background:
| Computer Technician | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between computer technicians' and information technology/support technicians' demographics:
| Computer Technician | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 13.2% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |