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The differences between desktop engineers and systems administrators 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 systems administrator. Additionally, a desktop engineer has an average salary of $102,893, which is higher than the $77,156 average annual salary of a systems administrator.
The top three skills for a desktop engineer include customer service, SCCM and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a systems administrator are linux, troubleshoot, and windows server.
| Desktop Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $102,893 | $77,156 |
| Hourly rate | $49.47 | $37.09 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 87,458 | 134,500 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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.
Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.
Desktop engineers and systems administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Average salary | $102,893 | $77,156 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $136,000 | Between $59,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Ropes & Gray | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a desktop engineer and a systems administrator in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between desktop engineers' and systems administrators' demographics:
| Desktop Engineer | Systems Administrator | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| 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, 8.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 11.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |