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The differences between implementation specialists and application 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 an implementation specialist and an application support specialist. Additionally, an application support specialist has an average salary of $81,820, which is higher than the $56,545 average annual salary of an implementation specialist.
The top three skills for an implementation specialist include client expectations, customer service and business processes. The most important skills for an application support specialist are application support, customer service, and troubleshoot.
| Implementation Specialist | Application Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $56,545 | $81,820 |
| Hourly rate | $27.19 | $39.34 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 50,975 | 118,322 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
As the name entails, implementation specialists perform tasks related to the implementation of computer software and hardware, technical systems, or solutions. They are responsible for identifying clients' needs and determining how they will use the software or systems that they have acquired. They may also assist clients in setting up their equipment and perform additional tasks such as importing client data, creating customized reports, and modifying metrics. There are certain skills and qualifications to be considered to apply for this role, which includes a bachelor's degree in business, in-depth technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills.
An application support specialist's role is to utilize their technical expertise in responding to inquiries and addressing issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and effectively. They may communicate with clients through calls or correspondence, even arrange appointments when necessary. Moreover, one may work as a member of a company or independently. As an application support specialist in a company setting, it is essential to coordinate with different department personnel, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Implementation specialists and application support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Implementation Specialist | Application Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $56,545 | $81,820 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $87,000 | Between $52,000 And $127,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Cupertino, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between an implementation specialist and an application support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Implementation Specialist | Application Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between implementation specialists' and application support specialists' demographics:
| Implementation Specialist | Application Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7% | Male, 61.6% Female, 38.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 10.7% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 11.5% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |