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Information specialist vs computer support specialist

The differences between information specialists 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 an information specialist and a computer support specialist. Additionally, an information specialist has an average salary of $69,502, which is higher than the $63,926 average annual salary of a computer support specialist.

The top three skills for an information specialist include patients, data entry and customer service. The most important skills for a computer support specialist are computer support, troubleshoot, and technical support.

Information specialist vs computer support specialist overview

Information SpecialistComputer Support Specialist
Yearly salary$69,502$63,926
Hourly rate$33.41$30.73
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs121,168114,029
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does an information specialist do?

An information specialist is responsible for obtaining data through various strategies such as surveys, research, and analysis. It is essential to coordinate with different teams to learn their data needs and utilize them upon gathering. There may also be instances where an information specialist must work with other groups for tasks, such as building databases and networks. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure data integrity, protect their source's identities, adhere to all the company's policies and regulations, and abide by the state law when gathering information.

What does a computer support specialist do?

A Computer Support Specialist is responsible for providing the highest customer service for clients with technical and system issues, resolving network failures, and creating support tickets for IT personnel. Computer Support Specialists utilize various system tools and applications to diagnose end-users network issues and conduct immediate troubleshooting. They also help the IT staff design and improve system features and infrastructures and create instructional manuals for deliverables. A Computer Support Specialist must have excellent technical and communication skills to document customers' requests and identify system solutions.

Information specialist vs computer support specialist salary

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

Information SpecialistComputer Support Specialist
Average salary$69,502$63,926
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $118,000Between $44,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CityTrenton, NJSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyCrowell & MoringGoogle
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between information specialist and computer support specialist education

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

Information SpecialistComputer Support Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorBusinessComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Information specialist vs computer support specialist demographics

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

Information SpecialistComputer Support Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.3% 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 information specialist and computer support specialist duties and responsibilities

Information specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage windows patch upgrades and provide software pushes using Microsoft SCCM.
  • Manage university and small business research grants and evaluate vendor RFP responses.
  • Manage USAID OTI grants database to track and monitor implementation of program activities.
  • Manage network resources, including video conferences, printers, servers, PCs, and switches.
  • Manage redesign and CMS implementation for VermontAmerican.com.
  • Follow standard operating procedure docs access via SharePoint intranet.
  • 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

Information specialist vs computer support specialist skills

Common information specialist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Data Entry, 15%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • FOIA, 8%
  • Management System, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
Common computer support specialist skills
  • Computer Support, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • Technical Support, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Desk Support, 5%
  • Computer System, 5%

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