Post job

Field systems technician vs computer technician

The differences between field systems 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 field systems technician and a computer technician. Additionally, a field systems technician has an average salary of $42,822, which is higher than the $39,767 average annual salary of a computer technician.

The top three skills for a field systems technician include troubleshoot, POS and support issues. The most important skills for a computer technician are customer service, desk support, and network printers.

Field systems technician vs computer technician overview

Field Systems TechnicianComputer Technician
Yearly salary$42,822$39,767
Hourly rate$20.59$19.12
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs175,59995,688
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a field systems technician do?

A Field system technician is the one responsible for the on-site installation, repairs, programming, and maintenance of the telecommunication wiring systems in various locations. They frequently travel to the sites where the telephone tower is positioned to provide their services. They possess good communication skills to work with and know the clients' complaints and solve them quickly as they can as well as the strength and agility to lift their equipment used. They can install various electrical accessories such as headphones to improve the clientele's experience.

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.

Field systems technician vs computer technician salary

Field systems technicians and computer technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field Systems TechnicianComputer Technician
Average salary$42,822$39,767
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $61,000Between $28,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City-Alexandria, VA
Highest paying state-Virginia
Best paying company-The Citadel
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between field systems technician and computer technician education

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

Field Systems TechnicianComputer Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringComputer Science
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Pennsylvania

Field systems technician vs computer technician demographics

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

Field Systems TechnicianComputer Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.7% 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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between field systems technician and computer technician duties and responsibilities

Field systems technician example responsibilities.

  • Develop Java base IAM system components to manage security and authorizations.
  • Provide field and remote support for data and VoIP solutions.
  • Install and configure new hardware including PCs, routers, switches, printers and POS equipment.
  • Configure all workstations for TCP/IP.
  • Install & configure Cisco VPN client.
  • Install and administer dial-up and persistent connections with VPN client.
  • Show more

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

Field systems technician vs computer technician skills

Common field systems technician skills
  • Troubleshoot, 17%
  • POS, 15%
  • Support Issues, 12%
  • PC, 11%
  • Computer Equipment, 9%
  • Network Support, 8%
Common computer technician skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Desk Support, 8%
  • Network Printers, 6%
  • Computer System, 6%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Laptop Computers, 5%

Browse computer and mathematical jobs