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The differences between technical solutions consultants and technical managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a technical solutions consultant, becoming a technical manager takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a technical manager has an average salary of $116,619, which is higher than the $106,807 average annual salary of a technical solutions consultant.
The top three skills for a technical solutions consultant include java, cloud and broadband. The most important skills for a technical manager are project management, infrastructure, and architecture.
| Technical Solutions Consultant | Technical Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $106,807 | $116,619 |
| Hourly rate | $51.35 | $56.07 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 174,520 | 116,732 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A technical solutions consultant is responsible for evaluating the company's computer networks and system applications to ensure efficiency and optimal performance for support to business operations and requirements. Technical solutions consultants analyze the company's needs and services to design and implement solutions that would maximize the team's productivity and enhance the quality of deliverables. They work with the whole engineering team to assess customer demands and technology trends that would generate more revenue resources for the business.
A technical manager is responsible for maintaining the company's information systems database and analyzing technology system matters to ensure its efficiency and accuracy in supporting business operations. Technical managers perform network checks regularly to assess any possible malfunctions that might compromise the company's cybersecurity. They carefully analyze business and clients' specifications on working with systems integration, responding to end-users' concerns and inquiries. A technical manager must have excellent knowledge of the information technology systems industry, as well as a strong command on network codes to conduct adjustments and manage network infrastructure.
Technical solutions consultants and technical managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Solutions Consultant | Technical Manager | |
| Average salary | $106,807 | $116,619 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $148,000 | Between $84,000 And $161,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Bruno, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | A.T. Kearney |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a technical solutions consultant and a technical manager in terms of educational background:
| Technical Solutions Consultant | Technical Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between technical solutions consultants' and technical managers' demographics:
| Technical Solutions Consultant | Technical Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.4% Female, 17.6% | Male, 83.7% Female, 16.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 14.6% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 14% |