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The differences between senior information technology specialists and information technology technical leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a senior information technology specialist, becoming an information technology technical lead takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an information technology technical lead has an average salary of $110,879, 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 technology technical lead are project management, architecture, and governance.
| Senior Information Technology Specialist | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $103,478 | $110,879 |
| Hourly rate | $49.75 | $53.31 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 111,996 | 156,246 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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 technology technical lead is responsible for assisting the technology team in solving system issues, designing new application systems, improving existing network infrastructure, and maintaining the safety and security of the organization's database. Information technology technical leads inspect the technology system's performance, recommending strategic solutions for optimization and smooth navigations for end-users. They also perform configurations and modifications, adhering to business requirements to support production operations. An information technology technical lead must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes to handle technical complexities for maximum efficiency.
Senior information technology specialists and information technology technical leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Information Technology Specialist | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average salary | $103,478 | $110,879 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $136,000 | Between $84,000 And $146,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Ropes & Gray | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a senior information technology specialist and an information technology technical lead in terms of educational background:
| Senior Information Technology Specialist | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior information technology specialists' and information technology technical leads' demographics:
| Senior Information Technology Specialist | Information Technology Technical Lead | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |