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The differences between desktop engineers and systems support 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 a systems support engineer. Additionally, a desktop engineer has an average salary of $102,893, which is higher than the $82,561 average annual salary of a systems support engineer.
The top three skills for a desktop engineer include customer service, SCCM and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a systems support engineer are linux, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Desktop Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $102,893 | $82,561 |
| Hourly rate | $49.47 | $39.69 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 87,458 | 182,434 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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 support engineers are information technology professionals who are responsible for building and maintaining the IT infrastructure of an organization. They are required to provide network administration and technical support to identify complex problem issues and come up with solutions to solve them. They must assist the system support engineers in accomplishing any projects they are working with. They must troubleshoot servers, personal computers, and peripheral equipment while liaising with their customers. They must also create and maintain user accounts and implement group policy management through an active directory.
Desktop engineers and systems support engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Average salary | $102,893 | $82,561 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $136,000 | Between $62,000 And $109,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Novato, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Ropes & Gray | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a desktop engineer and a systems support engineer in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between desktop engineers' and systems support engineers' demographics:
| Desktop Engineer | Systems Support Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% | Male, 89.5% Female, 10.5% |
| 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, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 11.5% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |