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The differences between information systems technicians and information technology specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an information systems technician, becoming an information technology specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an information technology specialist has an average salary of $81,241, which is higher than the $46,346 average annual salary of an information systems technician.
The top three skills for an information systems technician include customer service, troubleshoot and technical support. The most important skills for an information technology specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and computer system.
| Information Systems Technician | Information Technology Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $46,346 | $81,241 |
| Hourly rate | $22.28 | $39.06 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 173,424 | 122,519 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
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.
An Information Technology Specialist, also known as a Computer Professional or IT Specialist, is responsible for the computer support of an establishment or individual. Most of the duties require extensive and proactive knowledge of Information Technology, such as in the aspects of network and systems administration, security and information, hardware and software management, troubleshooting, and more. The tasks of an IT Specialist are diverse. It is not limited to installation or activation, as it also involves monitoring, management, and analyzation.
Information systems technicians and information technology specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Systems Technician | Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average salary | $46,346 | $81,241 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $74,000 | Between $58,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rahway, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett | |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between an information systems technician and an information technology specialist in terms of educational background:
| Information Systems Technician | Information Technology Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information systems technicians' and information technology specialists' demographics:
| Information Systems Technician | Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4% | Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 11.9% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |