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The differences between remote support specialists and computer support specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a remote support specialist and a computer support specialist. Additionally, a computer support specialist has an average salary of $63,926, which is higher than the $43,180 average annual salary of a remote support specialist.
The top three skills for a remote support specialist include customer service, PC and technical support. The most important skills for a computer support specialist are computer support, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Remote Support Specialist | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $43,180 | $63,926 |
| Hourly rate | $20.76 | $30.73 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 129,512 | 114,029 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A remote support specialist is responsible for assisting customers and end-users on their network and system issues through electronic communications. These support specialists diagnose technical problems by analyzing customers' statements and conduct immediate troubleshooting procedures, advising clients the instructions to prevent the reoccurrence of system failures. They also recommend system upgrades and installation to boost the system's optimization and operational efficiency. A remote support specialist must have excellent technical and communication skills, especially in writing resolution reports and collaborating with the technical team for process improvement techniques.
A Computer Support Specialist is responsible for providing the highest customer service for clients with technical and system issues, resolving network failures, and creating support tickets for IT personnel. Computer Support Specialists utilize various system tools and applications to diagnose end-users network issues and conduct immediate troubleshooting. They also help the IT staff design and improve system features and infrastructures and create instructional manuals for deliverables. A Computer Support Specialist must have excellent technical and communication skills to document customers' requests and identify system solutions.
Remote support specialists and computer support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Remote Support Specialist | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $43,180 | $63,926 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $61,000 | Between $44,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | CDM Smith | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a remote support specialist and a computer support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Remote Support Specialist | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between remote support specialists' and computer support specialists' demographics:
| Remote Support Specialist | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.3% Female, 38.7% | Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 10.9% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |