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Field systems technician vs network technician

The differences between field systems 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 field systems technician and a network technician. Additionally, a network technician has an average salary of $68,938, which is higher than the $42,822 average annual salary of a field systems technician.

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

Field systems technician vs network technician overview

Field Systems TechnicianNetwork Technician
Yearly salary$42,822$68,938
Hourly rate$20.59$33.14
Growth rate10%5%
Number of jobs175,59979,712
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4243
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 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.

Field systems technician vs network technician salary

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

Field Systems TechnicianNetwork Technician
Average salary$42,822$68,938
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $61,000Between $51,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City-Urban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between field systems technician and network technician education

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

Field Systems TechnicianNetwork Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringComputer Science
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Pennsylvania

Field systems technician vs network technician demographics

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

Field Systems TechnicianNetwork Technician
Average age4243
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7%
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, 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 field systems technician and network 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

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

Field systems technician vs network technician skills

Common field systems technician skills
  • Troubleshoot, 17%
  • POS, 15%
  • Support Issues, 12%
  • PC, 11%
  • Computer Equipment, 9%
  • Network Support, 8%
Common network technician skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Switches, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Routers, 4%
  • Lan Wan, 3%
  • Lan, 3%

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