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The differences between program technicians and communication assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a program technician and a communication assistant. Additionally, a program technician has an average salary of $42,891, which is higher than the $32,824 average annual salary of a communication assistant.
The top three skills for a program technician include customer service, math and technical support. The most important skills for a communication assistant are customer service, web content, and administrative tasks.
| Program Technician | Communication Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $42,891 | $32,824 |
| Hourly rate | $20.62 | $15.78 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 83,881 | 14,878 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A program technician is responsible for resolving computer software and application issues and performing administrative duties for customer support. Program technicians keep a record of resolution reports and customer files, process payments for program installations and updates, and offer new services to the customers according to their needs and account eligibility. A program technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in navigating computer systems, to guide the clients with troubleshooting and improving the optimization of applications.
A communication assistant is responsible for publishing content and analyzing brainstorming ideas to create an engaging publication. Communication assistants' duties include posting newsletters, spreading company updates through bulletin boards or digital contents, managing the organization's press release and media coverage, monitoring social media presence, developing strategic communication procedures with the team, and researching trends. They also perform administrative tasks as needed. A communication assistant must have excellent communication skills, both in writing and speaking, especially when interacting with a large group or writing content duties.
Program technicians and communication assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Technician | Communication Assistant | |
| Average salary | $42,891 | $32,824 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $71,000 | Between $22,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bellingham, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | North Dakota |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between a program technician and a communication assistant in terms of educational background:
| Program Technician | Communication Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Communication |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between program technicians' and communication assistants' demographics:
| Program Technician | Communication Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% | Male, 34.8% Female, 65.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 7.6% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |