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The differences between information technology technical leads and information technology technicians 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 technology technical lead, becoming an information technology technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an information technology technical lead has an average salary of $110,879, which is higher than the $49,031 average annual salary of an information technology technician.
The top three skills for an information technology technical lead include project management, architecture and governance. The most important skills for an information technology technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Information Technology Technical Lead | Information Technology Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $110,879 | $49,031 |
| Hourly rate | $53.31 | $23.57 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 156,246 | 118,881 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
An information technology technical lead is responsible for assisting the technology team in solving system issues, designing new application systems, improving existing network infrastructure, and maintaining the safety and security of the organization's database. Information technology technical leads inspect the technology system's performance, recommending strategic solutions for optimization and smooth navigations for end-users. They also perform configurations and modifications, adhering to business requirements to support production operations. An information technology technical lead must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to handle technical complexities for maximum efficiency.
An information technology technician, also known as an IT technician, is responsible for ensuring that all computer systems in a company or organization are running smoothly and efficiently. Their duties primarily revolve around installing and maintaining systems, including software and hardware, and resolving any issues. They also provide technical support such as troubleshooting, navigation, and even system upgrades. Furthermore, an information technology technician can choose whether to work for a company or independently.
Information technology technical leads and information technology technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Technology Technical Lead | Information Technology Technician | |
| Average salary | $110,879 | $49,031 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $146,000 | Between $28,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Cravath |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Finance |
There are a few differences between an information technology technical lead and an information technology technician in terms of educational background:
| Information Technology Technical Lead | Information Technology Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information technology technical leads' and information technology technicians' demographics:
| Information Technology Technical Lead | Information Technology Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% | Male, 84.8% Female, 15.2% |
| 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, 10.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 11.8% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |