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The differences between information systems engineers and information systems technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an information systems engineer, becoming an information systems technician takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an information systems engineer has an average salary of $104,903, which is higher than the $46,346 average annual salary of an information systems technician.
The top three skills for an information systems engineer include system security, NIST and RMF. The most important skills for an information systems technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Information Systems Engineer | Information Systems Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $104,903 | $46,346 |
| Hourly rate | $50.43 | $22.28 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 248,183 | 173,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
An information systems engineer is responsible for designing and creating network systems and databases to process information that would support business functions and operations. Information systems engineers maintain the stability and navigation of networks to ensure their security and prevent unauthorized access and illegal data dissemination. They may also modify the features and improve the infrastructure of the existing database for optimization. An information systems engineer must have excellent technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages to write codes and test controls.
An information systems technician is responsible for maintaining the efficiency of various network systems' performance. Information systems technicians provide network troubleshooting, upgrading systems for optimization, maintaining the security of databases, managing the interaction of networks, and inspecting and troubleshooting system inconsistencies. Additional duties include creating network designs based on clients' specifications, configuring software and hardware applications, and creating reports on system issues and resolutions. An information systems technician must have excellent knowledge of information systems procedures, programming languages, detecting malfunctions, and making resolutions promptly.
Information systems engineers and information systems technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Systems Engineer | Information Systems Technician | |
| Average salary | $104,903 | $46,346 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $139,000 | Between $28,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Rahway, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Safeway | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between an information systems engineer and an information systems technician in terms of educational background:
| Information Systems Engineer | Information Systems Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information systems engineers' and information systems technicians' demographics:
| Information Systems Engineer | Information Systems Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.5% Female, 18.5% | Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 12.4% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |