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The differences between desktop engineers and technical support senior 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 technical support senior engineer. Additionally, a technical support senior engineer has an average salary of $107,429, 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 a technical support senior engineer are java, linux, and customer service.
| Desktop Engineer | Technical Support Senior Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $102,893 | $107,429 |
| Hourly rate | $49.47 | $51.65 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 87,458 | 183,916 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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 technical support senior engineer is primarily in charge of resolving complicated issues and concerns through calls and correspondence, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. Their responsibilities include coordinating with customer support staff to gather data, studying records of initial assessments, liaising with clients to identify their needs, utilizing their expertise to develop solutions, and maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a technical support senior engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to others, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Desktop engineers and technical support senior engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Engineer | Technical Support Senior Engineer | |
| Average salary | $102,893 | $107,429 |
| Salary range | Between $77,000 And $136,000 | Between $82,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Ropes & Gray | PayPal |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a desktop engineer and a technical support senior engineer in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Engineer | Technical Support Senior Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between desktop engineers' and technical support senior engineers' demographics:
| Desktop Engineer | Technical Support Senior Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% | Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3% |
| 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, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 15.0% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |