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Computer repair specialist vs desktop support specialist

The differences between computer repair specialists 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 computer repair specialist and a desktop support specialist. Additionally, a computer repair specialist has an average salary of $73,042, which is higher than the $44,962 average annual salary of a desktop support specialist.

The top three skills for a computer repair specialist include troubleshoot, computer system and hardware upgrades. The most important skills for a desktop support specialist are customer service, desktop support, and troubleshoot.

Computer repair specialist vs desktop support specialist overview

Computer Repair SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Yearly salary$73,042$44,962
Hourly rate$35.12$21.62
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs93,959102,191
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Computer repair specialist vs desktop support specialist salary

Computer repair specialists and desktop support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer Repair SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Average salary$73,042$44,962
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $108,000Between $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 computer repair specialist and desktop support specialist education

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

Computer Repair SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer repair specialist vs desktop support specialist demographics

Here are the differences between computer repair specialists' and desktop support specialists' demographics:

Computer Repair SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 92.4% Female, 7.6%Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 10.9% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between computer repair specialist and desktop support specialist duties and responsibilities

Computer repair specialist example responsibilities.

  • Recreate and manage company website, maintain regular updates, manage DNS servers, administrate e-mail and outlook exchange server.
  • Install, troubleshoot and maintain various computer hardware and software, maintaining connectivity including wiring, and server security.
  • Support test engineers by helping them troubleshoot and repair defective circuit board test equipment and by testing engineering software changes.
  • Propose and create a centralize database for departmental document retention to meet compliance requirements and streamline workloads of administrative staff.
  • Develop and administer SharePoint web sites and relate security groups for FSDE and subordinate offices.

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

Computer repair specialist vs desktop support specialist skills

Common computer repair specialist skills
  • Troubleshoot, 12%
  • Computer System, 8%
  • Hardware Upgrades, 6%
  • Virus Removal, 6%
  • Business Clients, 4%
  • Software Issues, 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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