Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between computer 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 specialist and a desktop support specialist. Additionally, a computer specialist has an average salary of $75,950, which is higher than the $44,962 average annual salary of a desktop support specialist.
The top three skills for a computer specialist include data entry, troubleshoot and computer system. The most important skills for a desktop support specialist are customer service, desktop support, and troubleshoot.
| Computer Specialist | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $75,950 | $44,962 |
| Hourly rate | $36.51 | $21.62 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 75,054 | 102,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A computer specialist's responsibilities typically revolve around installing and repairing computer hardware and software. They meet with clients to identify their needs, examine and troubleshoot equipment, perform upgrades, and discuss the extent of repairs or replacements to clients. In a company setting, a computer specialist is in charge of overseeing an array of equipment, conducting regular maintenance checks, and performing corrective measures as needed. Furthermore, they must provide technical support, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
A Desktop Support Specialist is focused on troubleshooting different software packages, hardware devices, and other peripherals. They monitor the performance of the company's desktop infrastructure.
Computer specialists and desktop support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Specialist | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $75,950 | $44,962 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $97,000 | Between $33,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Apple | Cornerstone Research |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Finance |
There are a few differences between a computer specialist and a desktop support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Computer Specialist | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between computer specialists' and desktop support specialists' demographics:
| Computer Specialist | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.8% Female, 29.2% | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 11.7% White, 55.2% 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 Percentage | 11% | 11% |