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The differences between computer assistants and help desk 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 computer assistant and a help desk specialist. Additionally, a help desk specialist has an average salary of $51,065, which is higher than the $47,077 average annual salary of a computer assistant.
The top three skills for a computer assistant include computer equipment, software issues and customer support. The most important skills for a help desk specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Computer Assistant | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $47,077 | $51,065 |
| Hourly rate | $22.63 | $24.55 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 33,400 | 75,004 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Also referred to as customer support staff or technical support, a computer assistant describes and solves technical problems associated with computer systems and programs. Computer assistants provide telephone-based and on-site assistance to clients and customers. They use their communication and technical skills to help users with their computer troubleshooting problems. While some of them work in call centers, communicate via email or through online chat. It is also their responsibility to install and upgrade the computer software and hardware systems of their employer.
The primary role of help desk specialists is to maintain relationships between the company and its customers. Their duties and responsibilities include responding to guests' queries, providing technical computer support, and maintaining computer systems' performance. Help desk specialists are also responsible for following up with customers to resolve issues and train computer users. There are several requirements to be qualified for this position, which include having relevant customer service experience, problem-solving and analytical skills, and the ability to prioritize vital tasks.
Computer assistants and help desk specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Assistant | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Average salary | $47,077 | $51,065 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $83,000 | Between $35,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Bristol-Myers Squibb | Schulte Roth & Zabel |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between a computer assistant and a help desk specialist in terms of educational background:
| Computer Assistant | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between computer assistants' and help desk specialists' demographics:
| Computer Assistant | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.8% Female, 44.2% | Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 14.0% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 11.6% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |