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The differences between senior information technology specialists and information engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a senior information technology specialist and an information engineer. Additionally, an information engineer has an average salary of $105,003, which is higher than the $103,478 average annual salary of a senior information technology specialist.
The top three skills for a senior information technology specialist include customer service, database and technical support. The most important skills for an information engineer are customer service, linux, and troubleshoot.
| Senior Information Technology Specialist | Information Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $103,478 | $105,003 |
| Hourly rate | $49.75 | $50.48 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 111,996 | 151,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A senior information technology specialist is responsible for handling technology systems and network issues, ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of the database by configuration and improving network infrastructures. Senior information technology specialists also design computer systems and applications to support business functions and operations, depending on the requirements and budget limitations. They create resolution reports for reference and recommend strategic techniques to prevent the reoccurrence of defects and malfunctions. A senior information technology specialist must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in responding to the end-users' inquiries and concerns about the servers.
An information engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of computer systems and network infrastructure, performing configuration to boost the optimal performance of the technology systems. Information engineers assist end-users in resolving network issues, identifying the source of inconsistencies, and create resolution reports for reference to avoid reoccurrence. They also design new network systems according to business needs and client specifications, running multiple diagnostic tests to ensure effectiveness before the release of final deliverables. An information engineer should have excellent technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
Senior information technology specialists and information engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Information Technology Specialist | Information Engineer | |
| Average salary | $103,478 | $105,003 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $136,000 | Between $78,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Ropes & Gray | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior information technology specialist and an information engineer in terms of educational background:
| Senior Information Technology Specialist | Information Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between senior information technology specialists' and information engineers' demographics:
| Senior Information Technology Specialist | Information Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 14.1% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.6% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |