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The differences between computer support technicians and desk support technicians 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 support technician and a desk support technician. Additionally, a computer support technician has an average salary of $41,852, which is higher than the $40,715 average annual salary of a desk support technician.
The top three skills for a computer support technician include customer service, technical support and computer support. The most important skills for a desk support technician are customer service, technical support, and troubleshoot.
| Computer Support Technician | Desk Support Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $41,852 | $40,715 |
| Hourly rate | $20.12 | $19.57 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 121,180 | 130,485 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A computer support technician is responsible for diagnosing and resolving computer and network issues, identifying the source of malfunctions, and improving infrastructure to avoid downtimes and operational delays. Computer support technicians manage the efficiency of all equipment and peripherals for the computers, assist in installing components, and keeping adequate resources or alternatives for defective items. They also recommend minimal costs technology materials and create troubleshooting manuals for reference, ensuring that the network processes adhere to internal guidelines and regulations.
A desktop support technician is responsible for assisting end-users with their network issues, grant authorization requests, and create user accounts. Desktop support technicians maintain the safety and security of networks, preventing unauthorized access and illegal dissemination of database information. They also handle the software configurations and upgrading the network infrastructure to avoid system downtimes and operational delays. A desktop support technician must have excellent communication and technical skills to monitor systems performance and enhance network navigation.
Computer support technicians and desk support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Support Technician | Desk Support Technician | |
| Average salary | $41,852 | $40,715 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $51,000 | Between $26,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lompoc, CA | South San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | BNY Mellon |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a computer support technician and a desk support technician in terms of educational background:
| Computer Support Technician | Desk Support Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between computer support technicians' and desk support technicians' demographics:
| Computer Support Technician | Desk Support Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% | Male, 82.6% Female, 17.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 11.7% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 11.7% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |