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What does an Information Technology/Support Technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted Expert
Ming Chow
What does an Information Technology/Support Technician do

An information technology (IT) support technician is an individual who is responsible for providing support and troubleshoots software and hardware problems faced by customers. As for larger organizations that have their own IT department, technicians must work together internally with their IT staff members. IT support technicians are involved in inspecting and resolving minor local area network and wireless network issues, which include TCP/IP, DHCP, and VPN. They are also required to obtain an associate's degree in computer science or related field.

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Information technology/support technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real information technology/support technician resumes:

  • Manage DHCP entries, assign and reserve IP addresses for different sites and locations.
  • Manage companies ShoreTel VoIP telephone system.
  • Manage and maintain network peripherals including printers, workstations and network connections.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Furnish technical assistance with VoIP system maintenance.
  • Use SCCM to remotely support and install software allowing for a reduction in troubleshooting times.
  • Used SCCM to push silent installations that update during night while users are off of work.
  • Provide TCP/IP admin of staff and client computers and admin of file and print servers for staff domain.
  • Perform TCP/IP diagnostics and connectivity issues
  • Help maintain Linux application and development servers.
  • Perform basic troubleshooting on PCs and internet connectivity.
  • Maintain and troubleshot Linux base camera surveillance systems.
  • Conduct remote access/diagnostics to troubleshoot and resolve desktop application issues.
  • Provide professional end-user support on issues with PC applications and telephony.
  • Interface with administrators and end-users to accurately troubleshoot and correct hardware/software issues.

Information technology/support technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Information Technology/Support Technicians are proficient in Customer Service, Troubleshoot, and Computer System. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Information Technology/Support Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 12%

    Provide exceptional customer service to clients by performing all necessary electronic maintenance and refer any recommendations upon request or as needed.

  • Troubleshoot, 9%

    Provide server maintenance, troubleshoot technical problems and perform operating system administration with Windows-based computer systems.

  • Computer System, 6%

    Follow customer computer system hardware and software specifications based on the configuration services being performed and the instructions supplied.

  • Desk Support, 5%

    Help Desk Support and Mobile support/implementation.

  • Phone Calls, 4%

    Answer phone calls about any network or information technology-related question.

  • Remote Desktop, 3%

    Provided remote support to customers using remote desktop tools including TeamViewer and Remote Desktop Connection.

"customer service," "troubleshoot," and "computer system" are among the most common skills that information technology/support technicians use at work. You can find even more information technology/support technician responsibilities below, including:

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for an information technology/support technician to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Additionally, an information technology/support technician resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "install new and or update software ensuring error free performance, fortify network security and provided customer support network administration"

Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling information technology/support technician duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." According to an information technology/support technician resume, here's how information technology/support technicians can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated with lan and wan clients by phone, email, fax, regular mail, and in person visits. "

Problem-solving skills. information technology/support technicians are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to information technology/support technician responsibilities, because "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." An information technology/support technician resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "maintain accurate documentation of all corporate hardware and software assets to facilitate customer support and problem resolution. "

Speaking skills. information technology/support technician responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." This resume example shows what information technology/support technicians do with speaking skills on a typical day: "addressed and rectified operating systems problems redhat linux and windows xp, worked with microsoft or other vendors as necessary. "

Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in information technology/support technician job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what information technology/support technicians do. Information technology/support technician responsibilities rely on this skill because "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." You can also see how information technology/support technician duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "repair virus protection software installations and updates responsible for writing university printer policy. "

All information technology/support technician skills

The three companies that hire the most information technology/support technicians are:

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Compare different information technology/support technicians

Information technology/support technician vs. Technician support tier

A technician support tier focuses on providing technical support to clients or employees within a company. Typically working in a team setting, a technician support tier addresses technical problems and troubleshoots to identify the root of the issues and perform necessary corrective measures or repairs. Their responsibilities also revolve around responding to inquiries, answering calls and correspondence, conducting regular maintenance of systems and networks, maintaining records of all transactions, and supporting software and networks. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with all team members while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

If we compare the average information technology/support technician annual salary with that of a technician support tier, we find that technician support tiers typically earn a $9,298 higher salary than information technology/support technicians make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both information technology/support technician and technician support tier positions are skilled in customer service, computer system, and phone calls.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between information technology/support technicians and technician support tier. For instance, information technology/support technician responsibilities require skills such as "troubleshoot," "desk support," "os," and "network printers." Whereas a technician support tier is skilled in "technical support," "cisco ios," "tier ii," and "lan." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Technician support tiers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $62,098. Comparatively, information technology/support technicians tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $53,210.On average, technician support tiers reach similar levels of education than information technology/support technicians. Technician support tiers are 2.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Information technology/support technician vs. Systems support

A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables. They also assist the technology team in designing backup systems and improve existing networks according to business requirements and specifications. They write resolution reports for reference to prevent the reoccurrence of system malfunction and inconsistencies.

Systems support positions earn higher pay than information technology/support technician roles. They earn a $18,440 higher salary than information technology/support technicians per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both information technology/support technicians and systems supports have skills such as "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "computer system. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that information technology/support technician responsibilities requires skills like "desk support," "phone calls," "user support," and "pcs." But a systems support might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "technical support," "pc," "provides technical support," and "desktop support."

Systems supports earn a higher average salary than information technology/support technicians. But systems supports earn the highest pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $72,760. Additionally, information technology/support technicians earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $53,210 annually.In general, systems supports achieve similar levels of education than information technology/support technicians. They're 2.9% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Information Technology/Support Technicians in the next 3-5 years?

Ming ChowMing Chow LinkedIn Profile

Associate Teaching Professor, Tufts University

Infrastructure, including cloud and networking, Security, Machine Learning, and Data Science.

References:
1. cybersecurity
2. cybersecurity

Information technology/support technician vs. Administrative technical support

Administrative technical support maintains every technical set-up used in a company. Their primary responsibility is to inspect a company's systems, evaluate for issues, and repair any problems immediately. Administrative technical support is typically on call at the start of the day and, when they are not responding to calls, they conduct regular check-ups on all company systems. They are also responsible for creating technical reports and offering recommendations for improvements.

An average administrative technical support eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of information technology/support technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to administrative technical supports earning a $1,162 higher average salary than information technology/support technicians.information technology/support technicians and administrative technical supports both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "computer system," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, information technology/support technicians are more likely to have skills like "os," "database," "switches," and "tcp ip." But a administrative technical support is more likely to have skills like "technical support," "data entry," "email accounts," and "sql server."

Most administrative technical supports achieve a similar degree level compared to information technology/support technicians. For example, they're 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Information technology/support technician vs. Computer technician

Computer technicians are skilled information technology professionals who handle concerns related to computers. They are responsible for assisting clients in software installations, troubleshooting needs, and repair needs. Computer technicians handle the maintenance and repair of both software and hardware of computers. They should be able to quickly pinpoint the causes of computer problems that the client encounters. They should also be able to answer the clients' computer-related inquiries and provide advice on proper computer handling. Computer technicians should have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

Computer technicians tend to earn a lower pay than information technology/support technicians by an average of $5,824 per year.While their salaries may vary, information technology/support technicians and computer technicians both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "customer service," "computer system," and "desk support. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An information technology/support technician uses "troubleshoot," "phone calls," "remote desktop," and "user support." Computer technicians are more likely to have duties that require skills in "technical support," "laptop computers," "lan," and "peripheral devices. "The government industry tends to pay the highest salaries for computer technicians, with average annual pay of $48,277. Comparatively, the highest information technology/support technician annual salary comes from the technology industry.computer technicians reach similar levels of education compared to information technology/support technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 1.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of information technology/support technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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