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The differences between printer technicians and computer 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 printer technician and a computer technician. Additionally, a computer technician has an average salary of $39,767, which is higher than the $36,677 average annual salary of a printer technician.
The top three skills for a printer technician include latent prints, troubleshoot and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for a computer technician are customer service, desk support, and network printers.
| Printer Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $36,677 | $39,767 |
| Hourly rate | $17.63 | $19.12 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 50,147 | 95,688 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The printer technician primarily does the installation of new printers. Proper printer configuration on the network ensures and maintains the function of individual printers, scanners, or network printers. The printer technician regularly takes care and does routine repairs, including printer replacements of new ink cartridges. They are also comfortable copying, faxing, producing images, and other related printer issues. It is part of their responsibility to identify and resolve malfunctions, procurement, including the installation of those parts and resolving hardware failures.
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.
Printer technicians and computer technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Printer Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Average salary | $36,677 | $39,767 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $50,000 | Between $28,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Aurora, CO | Alexandria, VA |
| Highest paying state | Colorado | Virginia |
| Best paying company | HP | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a printer technician and a computer technician in terms of educational background:
| Printer Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 39% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between printer technicians' and computer technicians' demographics:
| Printer Technician | Computer Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.6% Female, 24.4% | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |