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Program technician vs service assistant

The differences between program technicians and service 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 service assistant. Additionally, a program technician has an average salary of $42,891, which is higher than the $31,928 average annual salary of a service assistant.

The top three skills for a program technician include customer service, math and technical support. The most important skills for a service assistant are excellent interpersonal, basic math, and customer satisfaction.

Program technician vs service assistant overview

Program TechnicianService Assistant
Yearly salary$42,891$31,928
Hourly rate$20.62$15.35
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs83,88169,115
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a program technician do?

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.

What does a service assistant do?

A Service Assistant's responsibility depends on the line of work or industry involved. However, the primary responsibility of a Service Assistant is to respond to a customer's inquiry and offer them assistance, a suggestion, or a solution. Aside from ensuring customer satisfaction, a Service Assistant may also process payments, discuss product information, and sell products or services in adherence to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, A Service Assistant needs to keep records of transactions at all times and report to management or supervisors.

Program technician vs service assistant salary

Program technicians and service assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program TechnicianService Assistant
Average salary$42,891$31,928
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $71,000Between $23,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityBellingham, WAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateOregonHawaii
Best paying companyMetaBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between program technician and service assistant education

There are a few differences between a program technician and a service assistant in terms of educational background:

Program TechnicianService Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Program technician vs service assistant demographics

Here are the differences between program technicians' and service assistants' demographics:

Program TechnicianService Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 34.4% Female, 65.6%Male, 35.8% Female, 64.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.4% Asian, 6.7% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between program technician and service assistant duties and responsibilities

Program technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation where applicable.
  • Prepare packets, prepare room for presentation with PowerPoint.
  • Train in CPR, first aid, safety & emergency procedures, and physical intervention.
  • Direct observation of psychiatric patients.
  • Provide patients with individual attention.
  • Used platforms like SharePoint and AccuTrack to facilitate appointment creation, appointment cancellations, and provide detail information about appointment availability.
  • Show more

Service assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage day-to-day operations including contract management, accounts payable, receivables, payroll and general administrative assistance.
  • Develop contracting strategy to build capacity and achieve ongoing compliance with Medicare and Medicaid provider network adequacy requirements.
  • Manage and update company Facebook page with daily updates, finding/sharing relevant and interesting information, and encouraging fan engagement.
  • Function as part of the trauma team by performing CPR.
  • Set up and maintain CPR certifications for all instructional aids.
  • Review supplies, materials, vendor selection for WIS and NICU.
  • Show more

Program technician vs service assistant skills

Common program technician skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Math, 14%
  • Technical Support, 12%
  • FSA, 10%
  • Program Regulations, 8%
  • Software Applications, 7%
Common service assistant skills
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 17%
  • Basic Math, 13%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 10%
  • Math, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Veterans, 6%

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