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Computer field engineer vs help desk specialist

The differences between computer field engineers 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 field engineer and a help desk specialist. Additionally, a computer field engineer has an average salary of $127,066, which is higher than the $51,065 average annual salary of a help desk specialist.

The top three skills for a computer field engineer include laser printers, service calls and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a help desk specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.

Computer field engineer vs help desk specialist overview

Computer Field EngineerHelp Desk Specialist
Yearly salary$127,066$51,065
Hourly rate$61.09$24.55
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs80,21775,004
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Computer field engineer vs help desk specialist salary

Computer field engineers and help desk specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer Field EngineerHelp Desk Specialist
Average salary$127,066$51,065
Salary rangeBetween $84,000 And $191,000Between $35,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Schulte Roth & Zabel
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between computer field engineer and help desk specialist education

There are a few differences between a computer field engineer and a help desk specialist in terms of educational background:

Computer Field EngineerHelp Desk Specialist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringComputer Science
Most common collegeNortheastern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer field engineer vs help desk specialist demographics

Here are the differences between computer field engineers' and help desk specialists' demographics:

Computer Field EngineerHelp Desk Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 94.7% Female, 5.3%Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 11.7% White, 55.3% 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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between computer field engineer and help desk specialist duties and responsibilities

Computer field engineer example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish relational database administration and implementation.
  • Replace system boards, display screens, and troubleshoot hardware in Lenovo workstations, laptops and netbooks.
  • Accomplish relational database administration and implementation.
  • Accomplish relational database administration and implementation.

Help desk specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage network software deployment, imaging/backup and unattend OS installations
  • Develop, implement, and support customized manage VPN solutions for customers.
  • Work as tier II/III technical support representative helping customers troubleshoot hardware/software problems in high volume call center.
  • Support CITRIX by resolving connectivity issues when problems are reported.
  • Assist clients with Cisco VoIP, or Cisco AnyConnect troubleshooting, and escalation to higher tiers, as necessary.
  • Repair PCs and printers install software supervise interns
  • Show more

Computer field engineer vs help desk specialist skills

Common computer field engineer skills
  • Laser Printers, 13%
  • Service Calls, 11%
  • Troubleshoot, 8%
  • Debugging, 8%
  • Desk Support, 7%
  • Onsite, 5%
Common help desk specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Troubleshoot, 8%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Desk Support, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Client Facing, 4%

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