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System technician vs information technology technician

The differences between system technicians and information technology technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a system technician and an information technology technician. Additionally, an information technology technician has an average salary of $49,031, which is higher than the $43,410 average annual salary of a system technician.

The top three skills for a system technician include customer service, hand tools and preventative maintenance. The most important skills for an information technology technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.

System technician vs information technology technician overview

System TechnicianInformation Technology Technician
Yearly salary$43,410$49,031
Hourly rate$20.87$23.57
Growth rate5%10%
Number of jobs137,121118,881
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4342
Years of experience22

What does a system technician do?

A system technician is an individual responsible for supporting users with issues related to the computer system. System technicians conduct appropriate diagnostics on computer issues and must be able to explain technical issues to clients or team members. They should carry out tests on the system so that they can generate error reports to identify and fix any computer system problems. System technicians also can write and maintain computer programs and work with computers and electronics, including circuit boards, computer hardware and software, and computer processors.

What does an information technology technician do?

An information technology technician, also known as an IT technician, is responsible for ensuring that all computer systems in a company or organization are running smoothly and efficiently. Their duties primarily revolve around installing and maintaining systems, including software and hardware, and resolving any issues. They also provide technical support such as troubleshooting, navigation, and even system upgrades. Furthermore, an information technology technician can choose whether to work for a company or independently.

System technician vs information technology technician salary

System technicians and information technology technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

System TechnicianInformation Technology Technician
Average salary$43,410$49,031
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $67,000Between $28,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAUrban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying stateWashingtonHawaii
Best paying companyBristol-Myers SquibbCravath
Best paying industryGovernmentFinance

Differences between system technician and information technology technician education

There are a few differences between a system technician and an information technology technician in terms of educational background:

System TechnicianInformation Technology Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

System technician vs information technology technician demographics

Here are the differences between system technicians' and information technology technicians' demographics:

System TechnicianInformation Technology Technician
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 90.0% Female, 10.0%Male, 84.8% Female, 15.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 8.8% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 11.8% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between system technician and information technology technician duties and responsibilities

System technician example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage approve software distributions using Microsoft SCCM.
  • Manage, support and maintain modern EMC SAN storage platform.
  • Manage 185 virtualize desktops running in a cluster VMware ESX environment.
  • Provide on-site construction support and lead system testing, debugging, and startup.
  • Develop and implement a weekly schedule on SQL databases to automate the execution of maintenance plans.
  • Plan and lead training programs on new software development essential to the movement to a paperless travel department for DoD.
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Information technology technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and execute project to remotely upgrade VPN clients
  • Manage incoming tickets and incidents in remedy and troubleshooting.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Analyze and maintain OS and domain account information across systems to ensure efficient and security workstations and virtual computing environments.
  • Provide implementation coordination, vendor management, and training for voice over IP project (VOIP).
  • Work on multiple projects dealing with VMware, server installation, computer repair, web design, and networking.
  • Show more

System technician vs information technology technician skills

Common system technician skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 6%
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • Control Systems, 4%
  • Security Systems, 4%
Common information technology technician skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Troubleshoot, 10%
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • Desk Support, 4%
  • Computer System, 3%
  • Network Printers, 3%

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