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Computer Technician Vs Desktop Support Technician

The differences between computer technicians and desktop 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 technician and a desktop support technician. Additionally, a desktop support technician has an average salary of $41,792, which is higher than the $39,767 average annual salary of a computer technician.

The top three skills for a computer technician include customer service, desk support and network printers. The most important skills for a desktop support technician are customer service, desktop support, and troubleshoot.

Computer technician vs desktop support technician overview

Computer TechnicianDesktop Support Technician
Yearly Salary$39,767$41,792
Hourly rate$19.12$20.09
Growth Rate10%10%
Number Of Jobs95,688108,944
Job Satisfaction51
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average Age4242
Years Of Experience22

What does a Computer Technician do?

Computer technicians are skilled information technology professionals who handle concerns related to computers. They are responsible for assisting clients in software installations, troubleshooting needs, and repair needs. Computer technicians handle the maintenance and repair of both software and hardware of computers. They should be able to quickly pinpoint the causes of computer problems that the client encounters. They should also be able to answer the clients' computer-related inquiries and provide advice on proper computer handling. Computer technicians should have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

What does a desktop support technician do?

A desktop support technician is responsible for troubleshooting defective computer systems, affecting its performance and efficiency. Desktop support technicians must be highly familiar with the technology systems and programming codes to navigate system applications and locate the discrepancy of the system. They keep documentation of the ticket issue and the resolution for reference and quality improvement. A desktop support technician also configures and updates computer systems and networks for better optimization, as well as conducting regular inspections and monitoring the efficiency of installed programs and patches.

Computer technician vs desktop support technician salary

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

Computer TechnicianDesktop Support Technician
Average Salary$39,767$41,792
Salary RangeBetween $28,000 And $55,000Between $32,000 And $54,000
Highest Paying CityAlexandria, VAPhiladelphia, PA
Highest Paying StateVirginiaPennsylvania
Best Paying CompanyThe CitadelNTT Data International L.L.C.
Best Paying IndustryGovernmentFinance

Differences between computer technician and desktop support technician education

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

Computer TechnicianDesktop Support Technician
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most Common MajorComputer ScienceComputer Information Systems
Most Common CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer technician vs desktop support technician demographics

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

Computer TechnicianDesktop Support Technician
Average Age4242
Gender RatioMale, 87.0% Female, 13.0%Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%
Race RatioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 11.7% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between computer technician and desktop support technician duties and responsibilities

Computer Technician Example Responsibilities.

  • Recreate and manage company website, maintain regular updates, manage DNS servers, administrate e-mail and outlook exchange server.
  • Manage and maintain desktop security updates company-wide with no downtime of systems due to OS vulnerability exploitation.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Add and configure networked printers for TCP/IP printing and other peripheral equipment including video conferencing equipment.
  • Diagnose and troubleshot computer hardware and software.
  • Fix computers, do inventory of computers, run cables.
  • Show More

Desktop Support Technician Example Responsibilities.

  • Manage and troubleshoot network connectivity with TCP/IP
  • Coordinate and manage a large-scale VOIP phone system conversion project for high-profile corporate customer.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Deploy WINTERMS on CITRIX platform.
  • Blackberry and android setup and activation.
  • Support a legacy system which requires a client certificate and a specific Java version and configuration.
  • Show More

Computer technician vs desktop support technician skills

Common Computer Technician Skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Desk Support, 8%
  • Network Printers, 6%
  • Computer System, 6%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Laptop Computers, 5%
Common Desktop Support Technician Skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Desktop Support, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 8%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Remote Desktop, 3%
  • Laptop Computers, 3%

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