Post job

Freelance computer technician vs computer support specialist

The differences between freelance computer technicians and computer support specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a freelance computer technician and a computer support specialist. Additionally, a computer support specialist has an average salary of $63,926, which is higher than the $32,797 average annual salary of a freelance computer technician.

The top three skills for a freelance computer technician include troubleshoot, laptop computers and printers. The most important skills for a computer support specialist are computer support, troubleshoot, and technical support.

Freelance computer technician vs computer support specialist overview

Freelance Computer TechnicianComputer Support Specialist
Yearly salary$32,797$63,926
Hourly rate$15.77$30.73
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs74,145114,029
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Freelance computer technician vs computer support specialist salary

Freelance computer technicians and computer support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Freelance Computer TechnicianComputer Support Specialist
Average salary$32,797$63,926
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $40,000Between $44,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between freelance computer technician and computer support specialist education

There are a few differences between a freelance computer technician and a computer support specialist in terms of educational background:

Freelance Computer TechnicianComputer Support Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Freelance computer technician vs computer support specialist demographics

Here are the differences between freelance computer technicians' and computer support specialists' demographics:

Freelance Computer TechnicianComputer Support Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 88.4% Female, 11.6%Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between freelance computer technician and computer support specialist duties and responsibilities

Freelance computer technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the implementation of OS and security patches and software.
  • Recreate and manage company website, maintain regular updates, manage DNS servers, administrate e-mail and outlook exchange server.
  • Install, test, repair, and troubleshoot personal computers, laptops, networks, printers, and other peripheral devices.
  • Integrate all audio & visual equipment, CCTV, DVR, [] phone.
  • Work on virtualization environments including VMware ESXI and Linux KVM
  • Provide knowledge and technical support on software and POS equipment
  • Show more

Computer support specialist example responsibilities.

  • Monitor and manage end-user LAN/WLAN connectivity, and utilize diagnostic tools for monitoring and testing physical networking performance.
  • Interface daily with customers providing hardware and software support for a relational database design and written in INGRES using SQL.
  • Perform domain registration, connect peripheral equipment, and troubleshoot workstations/blackberries remotely using SMS application.
  • Deploy new machines, installing OS, applications, drivers, and network configurations.
  • Participate in vulnerability resolution for both OS and specific applications on the OIG network.
  • Establish a new process for imaging machines using Linux and write documentation for it.
  • Show more

Freelance computer technician vs computer support specialist skills

Common freelance computer technician skills
  • Troubleshoot, 10%
  • Laptop Computers, 7%
  • Printers, 6%
  • Virus Removal, 5%
  • Desktop Computers, 5%
  • Windows OS, 4%
Common computer support specialist skills
  • Computer Support, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • Technical Support, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Desk Support, 5%
  • Computer System, 5%

Browse computer and mathematical jobs