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Data network specialist vs desktop support specialist

The differences between data network 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 data network specialist and a desktop support specialist. Additionally, a data network specialist has an average salary of $81,950, which is higher than the $44,962 average annual salary of a desktop support specialist.

The top three skills for a data network specialist include switches, timely maintenance and business rules. The most important skills for a desktop support specialist are customer service, desktop support, and troubleshoot.

Data network specialist vs desktop support specialist overview

Data Network SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Yearly salary$81,950$44,962
Hourly rate$39.40$21.62
Growth rate5%10%
Number of jobs91,708102,191
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4342
Years of experience22

Data network specialist vs desktop support specialist salary

Data network specialists and desktop support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Data Network SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Average salary$81,950$44,962
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $123,000Between $33,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CityOlympia, WABoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew HampshireMassachusetts
Best paying companyJPMorgan Chase & Co.Cornerstone Research
Best paying industryHealth CareFinance

Differences between data network specialist and desktop support specialist education

There are a few differences between a data network specialist and a desktop support specialist in terms of educational background:

Data Network SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 42%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Data network specialist vs desktop support specialist demographics

Here are the differences between data network specialists' and desktop support specialists' demographics:

Data Network SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 81.8% Female, 18.2%Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.4% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage9%11%

Differences between data network specialist and desktop support specialist duties and responsibilities

Data network specialist example responsibilities.

  • Design, develop, and manage SharePoint sites on both classify and unclassify networks.
  • Maintain and manage a tactical network during military and combat operations, both in garrison and deploy.
  • Design, configure and run VMWare Vcenter servers to manage multiple ESXi host servers and optimize server resources.
  • Manage TCP/IP network, install and configure network peripherals, run DHCP clients and servers, and maintain WNS and DNS.
  • Ensure business continuity by managing and monitoring all infrastructure backups, and notifying business partners of fail backup jobs.
  • Assist customers, if necessary, with proper configuration of network devices to support VOIP implementation.
  • Show more

Desktop support specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage computer assets utilizing Symantec Altiris.
  • Manage schedule software/Security patch upgrades via SCCM.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Deploy McAfee anti-virus tools across enterprise.
  • Automate fixes for common errors using Powershell and batch scripting.
  • Document software processes and core conversion software installations for VDI.
  • Show more

Data network specialist vs desktop support specialist skills

Common data network specialist skills
  • Switches, 9%
  • Timely Maintenance, 7%
  • Business Rules, 6%
  • Network Management, 6%
  • Data Network Systems, 5%
  • VoIP, 5%
Common desktop support specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Desktop Support, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • PC, 6%
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • SCCM, 3%

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