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The differences between computer technicians and services desk 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 services desk technician. Additionally, a services desk technician has an average salary of $42,123, 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 services desk technician are service desk, customer service, and troubleshoot.
| Computer Technician | Services Desk Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,767 | $42,123 |
| Hourly rate | $19.12 | $20.25 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 95,688 | 145,853 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
Service Desk Technicians are technicians who specialize in providing support to clients. They are usually in fields related to information technology, and they provide technical support to the employees of the organization. They usually help clients in installing, updating, repairing, or maintaining technical components. They are technology-savvy and should be able to communicate well. Most of the time, Service Desk Technicians are contacted through phone calls and thus should be able to guide callers over the phone. They are also expected to be patient and to be customer service-oriented.
Computer technicians and services desk technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Computer Technician | Services Desk Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,767 | $42,123 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $55,000 | Between $31,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Alexandria, VA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | New York |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Forum Energy Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a computer technician and a services desk technician in terms of educational background:
| Computer Technician | Services Desk Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Information Technology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between computer technicians' and services desk technicians' demographics:
| Computer Technician | Services Desk Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 79.0% Female, 21.0% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 11.1% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.9% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |