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Client support administrator vs desktop support specialist

The differences between client support administrators and desktop support 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 client support administrator and a desktop support specialist. Additionally, a client support administrator has an average salary of $51,249, which is higher than the $44,962 average annual salary of a desktop support specialist.

The top three skills for a client support administrator include client support, troubleshoot and DOD. The most important skills for a desktop support specialist are customer service, desktop support, and troubleshoot.

Client support administrator vs desktop support specialist overview

Client Support AdministratorDesktop Support Specialist
Yearly salary$51,249$44,962
Hourly rate$24.64$21.62
Growth rate5%10%
Number of jobs152,598102,191
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4342
Years of experience22

Client support administrator vs desktop support specialist salary

Client support administrators and desktop support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Client Support AdministratorDesktop Support Specialist
Average salary$51,249$44,962
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $78,000Between $33,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Cornerstone Research
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between client support administrator and desktop support specialist education

There are a few differences between a client support administrator and a desktop support specialist in terms of educational background:

Client Support AdministratorDesktop Support Specialist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorComputer Information SystemsComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Client support administrator vs desktop support specialist demographics

Here are the differences between client support administrators' and desktop support specialists' demographics:

Client Support AdministratorDesktop Support Specialist
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 58.4% Female, 41.6%Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 8.8% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 12.3% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between client support administrator and desktop support specialist duties and responsibilities

Client support administrator example responsibilities.

  • Configure, maintain, and manage LAN, VLAN, and wireless networks physically, remotely, and wirelessly.
  • Accomplish all troubleshooting issues that arise via the remedy ticketing system, over the phone, or while monitoring servers.
  • Manage day-to-day LAN system operations.
  • Manage information systems on DoD unclassify and classify network.
  • Manage all operating end-user software including JavaScript - updating/installing Java.
  • Provide support for client PC connectivity - Ethernet, TCP/IP and VPN.
  • Show more

Desktop support specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage computer assets utilizing Symantec Altiris.
  • Manage schedule software/Security patch upgrades via SCCM.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Deploy McAfee anti-virus tools across enterprise.
  • Automate fixes for common errors using Powershell and batch scripting.
  • Document software processes and core conversion software installations for VDI.
  • Show more

Client support administrator vs desktop support specialist skills

Common client support administrator skills
  • Client Support, 14%
  • Troubleshoot, 11%
  • DOD, 7%
  • Computer System, 6%
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • Remote Desktop, 4%
Common desktop support specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Desktop Support, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • PC, 6%
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • SCCM, 3%

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