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The differences between information technology associates and senior information technology 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 technology associate and a senior information technology specialist. Additionally, a senior information technology specialist has an average salary of $103,478, which is higher than the $75,790 average annual salary of an information technology associate.
The top three skills for an information technology associate include SOC, data analysis and sarbanes-oxley. The most important skills for a senior information technology specialist are customer service, database, and technical support.
| Information Technology Associate | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $75,790 | $103,478 |
| Hourly rate | $36.44 | $49.75 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 116,996 | 111,996 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An information technology (IT) associate is an individual who assists in the management of an IT infrastructure of an organization. IT associates are required to provide support and maintenance of network and wireless infrastructure as well as manage the technical side of an organization's web content platform. They must assist in the management of the inventory of equipment that can include computer desktops, projectors, copiers, and printers. IT associates should also communicate with staff members so that they can respond to their IT needs as well as provide maintenance and support.
A senior information technology specialist is responsible for handling technology systems and network issues, ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of the database by configuration and improving network infrastructures. Senior information technology specialists also design computer systems and applications to support business functions and operations, depending on the requirements and budget limitations. They create resolution reports for reference and recommend strategic techniques to prevent the reoccurrence of defects and malfunctions. A senior information technology specialist must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in responding to the end-users' inquiries and concerns about the servers.
Information technology associates and senior information technology specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Associate | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average salary | $75,790 | $103,478 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $111,000 | Between $78,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | SAP | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Energy |
There are a few differences between an information technology associate and a senior information technology specialist in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Associate | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information technology associates' and senior information technology specialists' demographics:
| Information Technology Associate | Senior Information Technology Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 14.6% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 14.1% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |