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The differences between desktop engineers and information engineers 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 an information engineer. Additionally, an information engineer has an average salary of $105,003, which is higher than the $102,893 average annual salary of a desktop engineer.
The top three skills for a desktop engineer include customer service, SCCM and troubleshoot. The most important skills for an information engineer are customer service, linux, and troubleshoot.
| Desktop Engineer | Information Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $102,893 | $105,003 |
| Hourly rate | $49.47 | $50.48 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 87,458 | 151,357 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| 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.
An information engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of computer systems and network infrastructure, performing configuration to boost the optimal performance of the technology systems. Information engineers assist end-users in resolving network issues, identifying the source of inconsistencies, and create resolution reports for reference to avoid reoccurrence. They also design new network systems according to business needs and client specifications, running multiple diagnostic tests to ensure effectiveness before the release of final deliverables. An information engineer should have excellent technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
Desktop engineers and information engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Engineer | Information Engineer | |
| Average salary | $102,893 | $105,003 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $136,000 | Between $78,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Richmond, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Ropes & Gray | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a desktop engineer and an information engineer in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Engineer | Information Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between desktop engineers' and information engineers' demographics:
| Desktop Engineer | Information Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% | Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2% |
| 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, 7.8% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 13.6% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |