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Hardware specialist vs hardware technician

The differences between hardware specialists and hardware 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 hardware specialist and a hardware technician. Additionally, a hardware specialist has an average salary of $79,167, which is higher than the $47,851 average annual salary of a hardware technician.

The top three skills for a hardware specialist include plumbing, configuration management and printers. The most important skills for a hardware technician are customer service, technical support, and network printers.

Hardware specialist vs hardware technician overview

Hardware SpecialistHardware Technician
Yearly salary$79,167$47,851
Hourly rate$38.06$23.01
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs72,30685,174
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Hardware specialist vs hardware technician salary

Hardware specialists and hardware technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Hardware SpecialistHardware Technician
Average salary$79,167$47,851
Salary rangeBetween $55,000 And $112,000Between $32,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Delaware
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between hardware specialist and hardware technician education

There are a few differences between a hardware specialist and a hardware technician in terms of educational background:

Hardware SpecialistHardware Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Hardware specialist vs hardware technician demographics

Here are the differences between hardware specialists' and hardware technicians' demographics:

Hardware SpecialistHardware Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 87.7% Female, 12.3%Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 12.0% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between hardware specialist and hardware technician duties and responsibilities

Hardware specialist example responsibilities.

  • Create, manage, and troubleshoot user network, email accounts, and distribution lists.
  • Lead effort to develop and maintain client's database by customizing existing computer information systems to support operating objectives.
  • Fix system issues using Linux and Unix commands.
  • Utilize SQL servers and databases per ticket requirements.
  • Handle filing of customer POs and complete company paperwork for records use.
  • Used Cisco web administration utility to reset VOIP phone settings for users.
  • Show more

Hardware technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage resource allocation and work scheduling for UNIX restatement administrators across all the shifts.
  • Manage all customer network equipment including routers, switches, WLC's, AP's, and firewalls.
  • Manage trouble ticket queues in order to keep tickets within SLA's and to expedite high level issues.
  • Work to troubleshoot OS and hardware issue on many computers and peripherals.
  • Test and troubleshoot: reset bios and perform power-on-self-test on servers and PCs, perform power on tests on various electronics.
  • Update LAN spreadsheets with appropriate computer information.
  • Show more

Hardware specialist vs hardware technician skills

Common hardware specialist skills
  • Plumbing, 56%
  • Configuration Management, 8%
  • Printers, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Computer System, 3%
  • Troubleshoot, 3%
Common hardware technician skills
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • Network Printers, 5%
  • Desktop Support, 5%
  • Test Equipment, 4%
  • Switches, 4%

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