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Computer laboratory supervisor vs help desk specialist

The differences between computer laboratory supervisors 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 laboratory supervisor and a help desk specialist. Additionally, a help desk specialist has an average salary of $51,065, which is higher than the $36,304 average annual salary of a computer laboratory supervisor.

The top three skills for a computer laboratory supervisor include computer lab equipment, mac and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a help desk specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.

Computer laboratory supervisor vs help desk specialist overview

Computer Laboratory SupervisorHelp Desk Specialist
Yearly salary$36,304$51,065
Hourly rate$17.45$24.55
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs54,02775,004
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Computer laboratory supervisor vs help desk specialist salary

Computer laboratory supervisors and help desk specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer Laboratory SupervisorHelp Desk Specialist
Average salary$36,304$51,065
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $62,000Between $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 laboratory supervisor and help desk specialist education

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

Computer Laboratory SupervisorHelp Desk Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer laboratory supervisor vs help desk specialist demographics

Here are the differences between computer laboratory supervisors' and help desk specialists' demographics:

Computer Laboratory SupervisorHelp Desk Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 68.2% Female, 31.8%Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 12.7% White, 54.9% 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 laboratory supervisor and help desk specialist duties and responsibilities

Computer laboratory supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage departmental computer labs, update departmental website and troubleshot relate PC/Mac applications.
  • Provide Internet support for internal clients in setting up connections and troubleshoot problems associate with server and connectivity.
  • Assist lab users run system backups, install software, and make repairs; and monitor Decnet/Internet and mainframe connections.
  • Lead student orientations to register students, set up testing, and review scores and assessments for the GED program.
  • Partner with local community college and online universities to mentor GED graduates to pursue higher education learning including distance learning.
  • Design and implement hardening PC standards for computer labs and college user community maintaining industry standards incorporate SOX compliance practices.
  • Show more

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 laboratory supervisor vs help desk specialist skills

Common computer laboratory supervisor skills
  • Computer Lab Equipment, 9%
  • Mac, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • Computer Software, 5%
  • Lab Assistants, 5%
  • Computer Programs, 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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