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Computer Technician Vs Network Technician

The differences between computer technicians and network 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 a network technician. Additionally, a network technician has an average salary of $68,938, 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 a network technician are customer service, switches, and troubleshoot.

Computer technician vs network technician overview

Computer TechnicianNetwork Technician
Yearly Salary$39,767$68,938
Hourly rate$19.12$33.14
Growth Rate10%5%
Number Of Jobs95,68879,712
Job Satisfaction55
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average Age4243
Years Of Experience22

What does a Computer Technician do?

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.

What does a network technician do?

A network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.

Computer technician vs network technician salary

Computer technicians and network technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer TechnicianNetwork Technician
Average Salary$39,767$68,938
Salary RangeBetween $28,000 And $55,000Between $51,000 And $92,000
Highest Paying CityAlexandria, VAUrban Honolulu, HI
Highest Paying StateVirginiaHawaii
Best Paying CompanyThe CitadelApple
Best Paying IndustryGovernmentFinance

Differences between computer technician and network technician education

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

Computer TechnicianNetwork Technician
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most Common MajorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most Common CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer technician vs network technician demographics

Here are the differences between computer technicians' and network technicians' demographics:

Computer TechnicianNetwork Technician
Average Age4243
Gender RatioMale, 87.0% Female, 13.0%Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%
Race RatioBlack 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, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%9%

Differences between computer technician and network technician duties and responsibilities

Computer Technician Example Responsibilities.

  • Recreate and manage company website, maintain regular updates, manage DNS servers, administrate e-mail and outlook exchange server.
  • Manage and maintain desktop security updates company-wide with no downtime of systems due to OS vulnerability exploitation.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Add and configure networked printers for TCP/IP printing and other peripheral equipment including video conferencing equipment.
  • Diagnose and troubleshot computer hardware and software.
  • Fix computers, do inventory of computers, run cables.
  • Show More

Network Technician Example Responsibilities.

  • Install and manage DHCP servers including setting up DHCP scopes, enabling DHCP clients, viewing and managing active leases.
  • Manage city wide IIS deployment.
  • Manage Virtualization system, using ESX server/client.
  • Install, configure and manage Symantec Antivirus on all network computers
  • Use Symantec BackupExec to manage and maintain all server backups and file restorations.
  • Manage company Cisco series routers, switches, and ASA firewall integrate into MPLS network.
  • Show More

Computer technician vs network technician skills

Common Computer Technician Skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Desk Support, 8%
  • Network Printers, 6%
  • Computer System, 6%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Laptop Computers, 5%
Common Network Technician Skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Routers, 4%
  • Lan Wan, 3%
  • Lan, 3%

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