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Technical internship vs technical specialist

The differences between technical interns and technical 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 technical internship and a technical specialist. Additionally, a technical specialist has an average salary of $88,773, which is higher than the $38,417 average annual salary of a technical internship.

The top three skills for a technical internship include python, java and patients. The most important skills for a technical specialist are customer service, technical support, and patients.

Technical internship vs technical specialist overview

Technical InternshipTechnical Specialist
Yearly salary$38,417$88,773
Hourly rate$18.47$42.68
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs119,178121,151
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a technical internship do?

In a technical internship, the responsibilities will vary according to the organization or industry. Despite this, most of the tasks will revolve around accomplishing tasks or directives handed out by managers or supervisors, which might include duties such as researching and analyzing, crafting new ideas from scratch, assisting other personnel, and sharing insights during discussions. One may also have to create or improve systems, detect issues, provide solutions, and maintain an active communication line with team members.

What does a technical specialist do?

The role of technical specialists is to provide technical support for applications and programs to staff members and customers within an organization. They train staff and customers on products and apps and offer advice on the best practices for utilizing technical programs and applications. They also design training materials to teach other staff members the most effective methods of using its technology. It is also their job to reduce company costs by looking for ways to improve productivity and lessen expenses.

Technical internship vs technical specialist salary

Technical interns and technical specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technical InternshipTechnical Specialist
Average salary$38,417$88,773
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $54,000Between $62,000 And $126,000
Highest paying CityHillsboro, ORWashington, DC
Highest paying stateOregonDelaware
Best paying companyOCCFinnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner
Best paying industryTelecommunicationTechnology

Differences between technical internship and technical specialist education

There are a few differences between a technical internship and a technical specialist in terms of educational background:

Technical InternshipTechnical Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianBusiness
Most common collegeDuke UniversityStanford University

Technical internship vs technical specialist demographics

Here are the differences between technical interns' and technical specialists' demographics:

Technical InternshipTechnical Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 58.9% Female, 41.1%Male, 71.2% Female, 28.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 15.1% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 12.5% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between technical internship and technical specialist duties and responsibilities

Technical internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage the migration to VOIP phone systems.
  • Used PL/SQL and UNIX shell script to automate daily reports as well as any production error alerts.
  • Manage the c-arm and o-arm in the operating room while maintaining the sterile field at all times.
  • Manage group-wide collaboration using SharePoint and enable cross-team communication base on unique team needs.
  • Utilize front-end development - HTML, CSS, and JavaScript - to enhance both existing and new applications.
  • Maintain PACS computer system and serve as data entry operator.
  • Show more

Technical specialist example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage LAN/WAN using TCP/IP protocol.
  • Manage the development of a customize ERP system for the client.
  • Design and manage studies for alternative API qualification for commercial products.
  • Lead and assist in troubleshooting problems and assure appropriate communication with physicians and patients.
  • Manage customer complaints and internal GMP audits for product manufacturing, coordinate FDA audits and recommend corrective actions.
  • Develop HTML, CSS, JavaScript for commercial websites.
  • Show more

Technical internship vs technical specialist skills

Common technical internship skills
  • Python, 10%
  • Java, 10%
  • Patients, 7%
  • C++, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • JavaScript, 4%
Common technical specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 4%
  • C++, 4%

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