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The differences between desktop engineers 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 desktop engineer and a desktop support specialist. Additionally, a desktop engineer has an average salary of $102,893, which is higher than the $44,962 average annual salary of a desktop support specialist.
The top three skills for a desktop engineer include customer service, SCCM and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a desktop support specialist are customer service, desktop support, and troubleshoot.
| Desktop Engineer | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $102,893 | $44,962 |
| Hourly rate | $49.47 | $21.62 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 87,458 | 102,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A desktop engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and performance of computer systems across the organization to deliver high-performance on business operations and client specifications. Desktop engineers resolve computer desktop issues, including navigation and security complications that create delays in the operational process. They conduct regular maintenance with the computer systems, upgrade network infrastructure, and perform configuration to ensure smooth functionality and resolutions. A desktop engineer should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, recommending system solutions to avoid the reoccurrence of network issues and glitches.
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.
Desktop engineers and desktop support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Engineer | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $102,893 | $44,962 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $136,000 | Between $33,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Ropes & Gray | Cornerstone Research |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a desktop engineer and a desktop support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Engineer | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between desktop engineers' and desktop support specialists' demographics:
| Desktop Engineer | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 13.6% White, 53.6% 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% |