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The differences between program technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a program technician, becoming a technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a program technician has an average salary of $42,891, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a program technician include customer service, math and technical support. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Program Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $42,891 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $20.62 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 83,881 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 43 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
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.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Program technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $42,891 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $71,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bellingham, WA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Meta | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Government | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a program technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Program Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | - |
Here are the differences between program technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Program Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 2% |