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The differences between installation specialists and systems support 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 installation specialist and a systems support specialist. Additionally, a systems support specialist has an average salary of $61,744, which is higher than the $49,602 average annual salary of an installation specialist.
The top three skills for an installation specialist include customer service, ladders and scaffolding. The most important skills for a systems support specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Installation Specialist | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $49,602 | $61,744 |
| Hourly rate | $23.85 | $29.68 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 103,003 | 159,364 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Installation specialists are skilled employees who are responsible for installing various equipment, machinery, and computer systems for a company or clients. These specialists must work with HVAC contractors to install air-conditioning ductwork and materials in business establishments and homes. They should recommend corrective action when identifying electrical and environmental deficiencies to ensure optimized performance and reliability of equipment. Installation specialists must also test hardware and software to determine its efficiency and reliability as well as its compatibility with the existing system.
A systems support specialist is responsible for assisting end-users on system issues, including network configuration and improving network infrastructure. System support specialists implement network strategies alongside the whole technology team to boost the system's efficiency and optimal performance. They create resolution reports for reference and write recommendations to prevent system defects and inconsistencies. A systems support specialist also handles network installations and upgrades, requiring them to have excellent technical skills and knowledge of programming languages.
Installation specialists and systems support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Installation Specialist | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $49,602 | $61,744 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $73,000 | Between $41,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Centreville, VA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Technip USA Corporation | Koch Industries |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between an installation specialist and a systems support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Installation Specialist | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between installation specialists' and systems support specialists' demographics:
| Installation Specialist | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.8% Female, 16.2% | Male, 73.4% Female, 26.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 10.1% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |