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Program support technician vs technical support representative

The differences between program support technicians and technical support representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a program support technician and a technical support representative. Additionally, a program support technician has an average salary of $36,653, which is higher than the $34,758 average annual salary of a technical support representative.

The top three skills for a program support technician include program support, data entry and DMV. The most important skills for a technical support representative are customer calls, smartphones, and technical support calls.

Program support technician vs technical support representative overview

Program Support TechnicianTechnical Support Representative
Yearly salary$36,653$34,758
Hourly rate$17.62$16.71
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs160,368212,082
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a program support technician do?

Program support technicians require administrative experience and skills in communication, organization, and proficiency with office software to do their best. This career choice demands showcasing support for users by answering their questions, resolving technical issues, and maintaining the network, software, and computer equipment of the respective company.

What does a technical support representative do?

Technical Support Representatives specialize in customer support through calls or correspondence. Among the primary responsibilities of a Technical Support Representative involves receiving and making calls, address and troubleshoot issues raised by the client, assist when navigating through complicated applications, provide suggestions or recommendations, or elevate the problem to personnel with higher expertise when necessary. Furthermore, a Technical Support Representative must coordinate with supervisors at all times, remain patient and proactive, and as well as maintain and organize records of each handled calls.

Program support technician vs technical support representative salary

Program support technicians and technical support representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program Support TechnicianTechnical Support Representative
Average salary$36,653$34,758
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $52,000Between $27,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityLong Beach, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateHawaiiMaryland
Best paying companyMandiantHP
Best paying industryHealth CareTechnology

Differences between program support technician and technical support representative education

There are a few differences between a program support technician and a technical support representative in terms of educational background:

Program Support TechnicianTechnical Support Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - BakersfieldStanford University

Program support technician vs technical support representative demographics

Here are the differences between program support technicians' and technical support representatives' demographics:

Program Support TechnicianTechnical Support Representative
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 32.2% Female, 67.8%Male, 61.5% Female, 38.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.6% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between program support technician and technical support representative duties and responsibilities

Program support technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage facility projects, produce facility reports preventive maintenance, work orders and administer maintenance program using CMMS and SCADA.
  • Prepare and process all payroll and personnel transactions, travel arrangements and reimbursements.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for online circulation and print distribution to articulate departmental goals.
  • Utilize the tracking system to enter all demographics for tenant petitions, capitol improvements, voluntary agreements and substantial rehabilitation cases.
  • Communicate daily with medical center staff within the VISN, insurance companies, and co-workers.

Technical support representative example responsibilities.

  • Serve as a SME and the main point of contact when agents and other leads have questions.
  • Answer eligibility and coverage questions from insurance agents pertaining to Medicare advantage plans and prescription drug plans.
  • Manage mental health portion of health insurance policies including Medicaid and Medicare and other commercial insurance plans nationwide.
  • Generate nationwide reservations provide customer service and negotiating customer dispute (inbound and outbound calls).
  • Work with QA to identify problems and resolutions base on customer issues.
  • Provide product information to customers inquiring about their iPhone, iPod, and iPad features.
  • Show more

Program support technician vs technical support representative skills

Common program support technician skills
  • Program Support, 17%
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • DMV, 9%
  • Office Equipment, 7%
  • Technical Support, 7%
  • Motor Vehicle, 6%
Common technical support representative skills
  • Customer Calls, 14%
  • Smartphones, 9%
  • Technical Support Calls, 7%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Internet Connectivity, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%

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