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The differences between computer network specialists 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 network specialist and a help desk specialist. Additionally, a computer network specialist has an average salary of $60,733, which is higher than the $51,065 average annual salary of a help desk specialist.
The top three skills for a computer network specialist include computer system, customer service and computer network. The most important skills for a help desk specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Computer Network Specialist | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $60,733 | $51,065 |
| Hourly rate | $29.20 | $24.55 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 84,242 | 75,004 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Computer network specialists and help desk specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Network Specialist | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Average salary | $60,733 | $51,065 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $85,000 | Between $35,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | West Virginia | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Softential | Schulte Roth & Zabel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a computer network specialist and a help desk specialist in terms of educational background:
| Computer Network Specialist | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between computer network specialists' and help desk specialists' demographics:
| Computer Network Specialist | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.1% Female, 14.9% | Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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 | 9% | 11% |