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The differences between network technicians and network support technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a network technician and a network support technician. Additionally, a network technician has an average salary of $68,938, which is higher than the $48,622 average annual salary of a network support technician.
The top three skills for a network technician include customer service, switches and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a network support technician are troubleshoot, technical support, and customer service.
| Network Technician | Network Support Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $68,938 | $48,622 |
| Hourly rate | $33.14 | $23.38 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 79,712 | 120,245 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations. Other duties include assisting customers with technical issues, ensuring computer systems' privacy, creating documents of network issues and resolutions, and suggesting alternative equipment for network backups. A network technician must have a broad knowledge of the technology industry and mechanical processes, plus the ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
A network support technician specializes in optimizing a company's information technology (IT) networks for a smooth and efficient workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around addressing issues and concerns, troubleshooting, installing systems, executing upgrades, conducting diagnostic tests, and performing corrective measures as needed. They must also coordinate with staff in developing new IT systems, evaluate existing networks for areas needing improvement, and develop protocols while adhering to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, as a network support technician, it is essential to maintain regular network maintenance checks to ensure the security and safety of company data.
Network technicians and network support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Network Technician | Network Support Technician | |
| Average salary | $68,938 | $48,622 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $92,000 | Between $38,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Urban Honolulu, HI | Troy, NY |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Apple | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a network technician and a network support technician in terms of educational background:
| Network Technician | Network Support Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between network technicians' and network support technicians' demographics:
| Network Technician | Network Support Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% | Male, 89.3% Female, 10.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |