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Computer Technician Vs Systems Administrator

The differences between computer technicians and systems administrators 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 systems administrator. Additionally, a systems administrator has an average salary of $77,156, 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 systems administrator are linux, troubleshoot, and windows server.

Computer technician vs systems administrator overview

Computer TechnicianSystems Administrator
Yearly Salary$39,767$77,156
Hourly rate$19.12$37.09
Growth Rate10%5%
Number Of Jobs95,688134,500
Job Satisfaction5-
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
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 systems administrator do?

Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.

Computer technician vs systems administrator salary

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

Computer TechnicianSystems Administrator
Average Salary$39,767$77,156
Salary RangeBetween $28,000 And $55,000Between $59,000 And $100,000
Highest Paying CityAlexandria, VASan Francisco, CA
Highest Paying StateVirginiaCalifornia
Best Paying CompanyThe CitadelMeta
Best Paying IndustryGovernmentTechnology

Differences between computer technician and systems administrator education

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

Computer TechnicianSystems Administrator
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most Common MajorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most Common CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Computer technician vs systems administrator demographics

Here are the differences between computer technicians' and systems administrators' demographics:

Computer TechnicianSystems Administrator
Average Age4243
Gender RatioMale, 87.0% Female, 13.0%Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
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, 8.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 11.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage11%9%

Differences between computer technician and systems administrator 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

Systems Administrator Example Responsibilities.

  • Used Jenkins to automate most of the build relate tasks.
  • Manage windows file servers, messaging, and SQL databases.
  • Lead the project which integrate internal DNS into the corporate LDAP infrastructure for end user host management prior to deployment.
  • Lead business-critical information security initiatives involving encryption of customer data.
  • Authore and maintain shell and Perl scripts to automate administration tasks for infrastructure management.
  • Configure & manage all switches and servers responsible for providing WLAN connectivity and authentication services.
  • Show More

Computer technician vs systems administrator skills

Common Computer Technician Skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Desk Support, 8%
  • Network Printers, 6%
  • Computer System, 6%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Laptop Computers, 5%
Common Systems Administrator Skills
  • Linux, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • Windows Server, 6%
  • Database, 5%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • PowerShell, 3%

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