Post job

Computer repair specialist vs help desk specialist

The differences between computer repair 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 repair specialist and a help desk specialist. Additionally, a computer repair specialist has an average salary of $73,042, which is higher than the $51,065 average annual salary of a help desk specialist.

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

Computer repair specialist vs help desk specialist overview

Computer Repair SpecialistHelp Desk Specialist
Yearly salary$73,042$51,065
Hourly rate$35.12$24.55
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs93,95975,004
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Computer repair specialist vs help desk specialist salary

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

Computer Repair SpecialistHelp Desk Specialist
Average salary$73,042$51,065
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $108,000Between $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 repair specialist and help desk specialist education

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

Computer Repair SpecialistHelp Desk Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer repair specialist vs help desk specialist demographics

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

Computer Repair SpecialistHelp Desk Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 92.4% Female, 7.6%Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6%
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, 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 repair specialist and help desk 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.

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 repair specialist vs help desk 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 help desk specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Troubleshoot, 8%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Desk Support, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Client Facing, 4%

Browse computer and mathematical jobs