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The differences between desktop engineers 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 desktop engineer and a desktop support technician. Additionally, a desktop engineer has an average salary of $102,893, which is higher than the $41,792 average annual salary of a desktop support technician.
The top three skills for a desktop engineer include customer service, SCCM and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a desktop support technician are customer service, desktop support, and troubleshoot.
| Desktop Engineer | Desktop Support Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $102,893 | $41,792 |
| Hourly rate | $49.47 | $20.09 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 87,458 | 108,944 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 1 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| 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 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.
Desktop engineers and desktop support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Engineer | Desktop Support Technician | |
| Average salary | $102,893 | $41,792 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $136,000 | Between $32,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | California | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | Ropes & Gray | NTT Data International L.L.C. |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a desktop engineer and a desktop support technician in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Engineer | Desktop Support Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Information Systems |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between desktop engineers' and desktop support technicians' demographics:
| Desktop Engineer | Desktop Support Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% |
| 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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 11.7% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |