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Job outlook for desktop engineers in the United States
Desktop engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected desktop engineer job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 83,100 new jobs for desktop engineers are projected over the next decade.
Desktop engineer salaries have increased 9% for desktop engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 80,602 desktop engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 87,458 active desktop engineer job openings in the US.
The average desktop engineer salary is $102,893.
Are desktop engineer jobs in demand?
Desktop engineer job and salary trends over time
Desktop engineer jobs over time
Desktop engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80,602 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 96,672 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 43,620 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 58,346 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 57,080 | 0.02% |
Average desktop engineer salary over time
Desktop engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $102,893 | $49.47 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $99,503 | $47.84 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $97,250 | $46.75 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $95,781 | $46.05 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | $94,217 | $45.30 | +1.6% |
Desktop engineer jobs by state
Most common states for desktop engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 632 | 91% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,529 | 30% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,490 | 25% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,229 | 22% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 124 | 20% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 137 | 19% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,157 | 17% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 533 | 17% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 166 | 17% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 216 | 16% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 577 | 14% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 145 | 14% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 82 | 14% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 929 | 13% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 255 | 13% |
| 16 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,704 | 12% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 828 | 12% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 122 | 12% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 93 | 12% |
| 20 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 610 | 11% |
Most common cities for desktop engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hoffman Estates | 3 | 6% | $97,986 |
| 2 | Dodge City | 1 | 4% | $78,127 |
| 3 | Arlington Heights | 2 | 3% | $98,067 |
| 4 | Wilmington | 2 | 3% | $99,385 |
| 5 | Bangor | 1 | 3% | $86,896 |
| 6 | Laramie | 1 | 3% | $85,398 |
| 7 | Chattanooga | 2 | 1% | $79,699 |
| 8 | Newport Beach | 1 | 1% | $115,390 |
| 9 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $100,118 |
| 10 | New York | 3 | 0% | $97,375 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $99,541 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $93,625 |
| 13 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $97,996 |
| 14 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $85,719 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $117,499 |
| 16 | Memphis | 1 | 0% | $79,032 |
Desktop Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of desktop engineer experts
Hampton University
California State University - East Bay
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Grand Valley State University
Tiffin University
California State University - Long Beach
University of Washington
Bakersfield College
Portland State University
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Dominican University
Northeastern University
Kennesaw State University
Pennsylvania State University - Great Valley
Governors State University
New York Institute of Technology
Carleton College
What Desktop Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Yohannes Bekele: A computer engineer's daily tasks can be in the hardware or in the software areas. Some common responsibilities in hardware include designing and developing computer hardware components like processors, circuits and memory devices and creating prototypes and testing hardware products to ensure they meet specifications. In addition, analyzing test data and modifying hardware designs as needed is also the responsibility of a computer engineer. For software side, a computer engineer can do writing code and developing software especially focusing on the underlying hardware and interfacing with it such as kernel level programming and debugging existing software programs and ensuring systems run smoothly. Additionally, a computer engineer is responsible for designing and developing electrical systems and components required for computing systems and modification of electrical circuits based on function assessments. For someone entering the field as a junior or new computer engineer, typical daily activities may involve assisting senior engineers, writing code, testing products, attending training sessions focusing on the above mentioned concentration areas, and participating in meetings to learn about ongoing projects.
Dr. Bobby Roohparvar Ph.D.
Professor of Computer Science and Computer EngineeringCalifornia State University - East Bay
Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications
What general advice would you give to a Desktop Engineer?
Dr. Bobby Roohparvar Ph.D.: *The anxiety of AI is likely to change the landscape of computer networking, is a real threat but in my opinion, it won't eliminate the need for human network engineers. The focus will likely shift towards more strategic tasks, complex problem-solving, and leveraging AI tools to improve network efficiency and security.*
*Here again, I will explain in more detail about the expectation and future of Comp. Network Eng.*
* 1. AI Augments, Not Replaces: While AI can automate some network tasks, like data analysis and basic troubleshooting, it won't replace the need for human network engineers. It will increase the productivity for sure; Complex problem-solving, strategic decision-making, and human judgment are still crucial in network management. AI will likely become a valuable tool that assists network engineers in their tasks, making them more efficient.*
*2. Growing Demand: Our reliance on technology and data is constantly increasing. Businesses and organizations need secure, reliable networks to function. This necessitates a skilled workforce to design, implement, maintain, and secure these networks. The demand for qualified network engineers is expected to grow in the coming years.*
*In our technology horizon, I can see the quantum internet coming and I can see the demand for network engineering accelerate.*
*3. Diverse Skillset: A strong foundation in computer networking equips you with a versatile skillset. You'll understand network protocols, security concepts, and troubleshooting methodologies. These skills are valuable across the IT field and can be applied to areas like cloud computing, data center operations, or even cybersecurity. Data Centers for AI are becoming a huge opportunity for Comp Network Eng.*
What general advice would you give to a Desktop Engineer?
Mark Whalen P.E.: A system engineer designs, develops, and manages complex technical systems across a large variety of industries. This can include defining solutions to system-level problems, plus allocating requirements, technologies and team member tasking at a project level, as well as communicating complex ideas and systems to key stakeholders.
An entry-level system engineer will typically apply advanced mathematical techniques to solve system-level technical problems, as well as installing, testing, and troubleshooting complex operating systems
What Desktop Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mark Whalen P.E.: Many system engineers enjoy working across all technologies at a higher organizational level, and interacting with all types of technologists to manage and implement complex technical systems.
Many system engineers can feel challenged by their lack of depth of understanding of particular technologies compared to technical specialists.
What will help Desktop Engineers increase their earning potential?
Don Gelosh Ph.D.: There is a great demand for those who can understand the big picture as well as knowing the
smallest detail in the development and delivery of complex systems. It is very important that
everyone involved in the engineering of complex systems works from the same requirements
and understands the intended operational environment. Systems engineers facilitate this
common understanding of the target system, interconnected systems and the operational
environment.
Today's advanced technology and systems that utilize that technology are increasingly
becoming more complex and more challenging to develop and deliver. This requires a different
type of engineer, one who has both in-depth technical knowledge and leadership skills.
Systems engineers who understand these requirements and can deliver successful complex
systems will always be in demand.
Laura Kier
Network Design and Administration InstructorWhat general advice would you give to a Desktop Engineer?
Laura Kier: Students graduating from the Computer Network Design and Administration program will enter the job market with a solid foundation in networking technologies. Above that they should also be able to develop and demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Networking has a strong emphasis on teamwork and being able to communicate well with customers, co-workers and teammates is vital. Attaining certifications in Cisco, Linux, Windows, and security will also help the student stand out within the industry (classes in the program help to learn the knowledge needed to attain certifications). Students should participate in any local or online communities and groups to enhance skills and knowledge and find networking opportunities.
What Desktop Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laura Kier: Computer Networking is a dynamic field with a wide variety of opportunities in many different industries. Some skills that will be more important in general are skills in software defined networking and automation. Skills in the DevOps field will be necessary, as well as skills leveraging AI tools. Cybersecurity is always important and using AI tools to enhance security and monitoring is necessary.
What will help Desktop Engineers increase their earning potential?
Laura Kier: Learn to present your skills well from the interview and into your career. Those communication skills count! Industry certifications like CCNA matter. They help you demonstrate a willingness to grow and learn beyond what was required for your degree. Be willing to take on new challenges with your new job and keep learning new skills. It is really important for graduates to understand that talented IT professionals can move up quickly in a company, but they often must start at the bottom to showcase their technical and soft skills. Because of that, they should not shy away from entry level jobs if there is potential for growth.
Deepak Khazanchi Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Community Engagement & Internationalization Officer, Professor of Information Systems & Quantitative Analysis, Director, Executive Master’s of Science in Information Technology (EMIT) Program, Executive Director, Center for Management of IT (CMIT), Fulbright Grantee (Specialist 2014; Core 2020-21)University of Nebraska at Omaha
College of Information Science & Technology
What's a good job out of college for Desktop Engineers?
Deepak Khazanchi Ph.D.: I think the "best" and "interesting" jobs in my view will be those that leverage emerging technical skills such as AI/ML, data analytics, cybersecurity and medical informatics, with the nontechnical capabilities mentioned above.
What technical skills for a Desktop Engineer stand out to employers?
Chirag Parikh Ph.D.: If you ask me, I consider valuable experience over good paycheck. Once you have gained that experience the paycheck will follow. As soon as you are out of college, the knowledge gained is very fresh and raring to go. If put into the right place can enhance your technical skills and you can do wonders.
As a Computer Engineering professor, I would say the job opportunities are tremendous for students out of college as they can venture into hardware field (technical support, hardware engineer, test engineer and much more) as well as software field (software engineer, software developer, software tester and much more). The possibilities are endless.
With COVID and employees working remotely there is still ample opportunity to enhance your technical and interpersonal skills as I believe remote working might stay for a while till things get back to normal.
What type of skills will young Desktop Engineers need?
George Miller: Many organizations realize graduates cannot learn everything in college about their major but want the graduate to have a solid foundation on their field of study. The organization wants to mold the graduate to their company environment with how they do things related to the field of study. Most companies want college graduates to have good communication skills (both oral and written), critical thinking skills and be able to work well in teams. These skills have been a staple for graduates since I can remember. This is why a college graduate takes many general education courses related to these skills and many of their major courses emphasize these skills.
Going back to the previous answer I believe graduates in all fields of study will need a better knowledge of technology and easier adaptability to changing technology. Again, an IS degree is already preparing students for this.
What general advice would you give to a Desktop Engineer?
Dr. Lesley Farmer: Get to know the site before interviewing, and remember that even interviews are an opportunity to practice communication skills-and to see if there's a good match between you and the site. Once hired, learn about the organizational culture and develop trustful relationships. Make one memorable contribution the first month, but focus on becoming an expert before changing others. In addition, join a local and national professional association to keep current and network.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Desktop Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Lesley Farmer: Many employees have trouble pivoting to online work so in the short term, tech support and instructional design jobs are in high demand. Data privacy and security are also hot topics and need ed tech expertise. Tech maintenance, including cloud services and networks, continue to be needed, rather like car maintenance. Thinking forward, software development is another area of need, particularly with more online-based education. If grads have data analytics expertise, they can find jobs on data management and learning analytics.
Disabilities continue to be an issue, particularly in terms of equity, so jobs dealing with assistive technology and other ed tech supports are possible. Finally, grads should broaden their concept of educational settings; informal education is more important than ever: in business/HR, libraries and museums, recreational and youth-serving clubs, mass media, government and non-profit agencies. All of these entities are involved in training, outreach, PR, and public awareness/education. Be creative and persistent.
What Desktop Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Lesley Farmer: Internships are probably the best option, even if unpaid. Some institutions provide career placement services, and grads could contact their instructors about possible options. Companies, professional associations, and non-profits also advertise internships.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Desktop Engineers?
Les Atlas: Most certainly an impact, a very strong impact. The best lesson for us is from the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic. That strain of flu still circulates as a seasonal virus. Over 100 years laters, it is now considered a Phase 6 pandemic by the World Health Organization. While it is reduced due to current social distancing and mask wearing, the 1919 Spanish Flu virus still causes community-level outbreaks in multiple parts of the globe. Societal changes from this event of over 100 years ago are still with us.
In fact, they changed society. As is well-documented, after a high level of immunity was reached in the 1920's, the resulting labor shortage enabled workers to demand better living and working conditions, as well as better wages and public health care. As just one example of the societal changes due to the 1919 pandemic, the drop in the male labor force empowered male workers, and also changed the gender composition.
The aftermath of the 1919 pandemic was the start of women joining the labour force. In the United States, the proportion of women in the labour force rose from 18 per cent in 1900 to almost 21 per cent in 1920. In that same year, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution, the Congress of the United States guaranteed all American women the right to vote.
The current COVID-19 pandemic will certainly change the way we live, be it our mobility or the kinds of career options people have. After our current year-long experience in remote learning and work, will we go back to the inefficiencies of going to our office every work day? Or will remote work be acceptable, where one's residence will not be dependent upon the locations of employment. Will we avoid future hotspots of infection, choosing to instead reside and travel in areas where infection is decreasing? Will we prefer to travel on aircraft which are certified to be virus-free and frequent restaurants which are documented to be safer? Future marketing will likely make a sharp turn in this direction.
What general advice would you give to a Desktop Engineer?
Maryam Farahani: Thinking about the fields they want to experience or try. And to be intentional about their job search. The best advice is learning as much as they can about what company offers. Visualizing themselves in the next 5 years as a starting point. Do they want to travel a lot, or be in management positions? Do they want to be subject matter expert, or a hands-on engineer or technologist? Their goal may change as they progress in their career but having one makes a big difference in their career choices and keeping them on track.
Dr. Wayne Wakeland Ph.D.
Professor and Systems Science Program ChairPortland State University
Systems science program
What general advice would you give to a Desktop Engineer?
Dr. Wayne Wakeland Ph.D.: Develop a thoughtful combination of technical skills/expertise and qualitative resources/assets/prowess. Purely technical savvy can go a long way, but it is not enough. Employers are eager to hire well-rounded, easy to work with employees and leaders who can go deeper technically as required.
Dr. T.S. Kalkur
Department ChairUniversity of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
What experience really stands out on Desktop Engineer resumes?
Dr. T.S. Kalkur: Internship experience and tools used in design.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Desktop Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Kate Marek Ph.D.: Probably an acceleration of existing trends - remote working, skill-set based job openings (rather than degree-specific), along with an ongoing need for necessary skills such as writing, problem-solving, collaboration, and project management.
What Desktop Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kate Marek Ph.D.: If possible, find a paid internship in your area of interest, which will help expand your professional network and build your skillset. Use this time to keep scanning job ads to identify skill sets in demand; look for online mini-courses to make those skill sets.
What general advice would you give to a Desktop Engineer?
Kate Marek Ph.D.: Choose an organization in tune with one's values. Look for a job in growth areas, such as data asset management, data analysis, etc.
What general advice would you give to a Desktop Engineer?
Laura A. Meyer M. Ed.: I tell my students often do not give up! Resilience is so important right now and with that comes being mindful about how they are applying to positions and to what positions they are applying. Really crafting their resumes and cover letters for each position they are applying is very important. Also, stay sharp - keep honing your skills and be consistent about doing so.
How do you envision technology impacting Desktop Engineers in the next 5 years?
Adeel Khalid Ph.D.: Technology will continue to become more prevalent in the workspace. For students to be successful, they will need to keep up with the rapidly changing technology, and I do not see the rate of this change slowing down anytime soon. More and more systems are becoming interdisciplinary. This is where systems engineering plays a key role. Systems engineers can bridge the gap between other engineers by establishing and communicating the requirements at the system level. They also play a crucial role in the verification and validation of complex systems. With the advent of technology in the coming years, this role will become even more paramount.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Desktop Engineers?
Adeel Khalid Ph.D.: It would be unreasonable to believe that there will be no enduring impact of coronavirus. It has changed the way engineers work. Dependence on technology has increased multifold during the pandemic. When a cure is finally in place, this dependence on technology is unlikely to slow down. This translates to the ability to perform engineering tasks virtually. So graduates need to be well versed in technology to be able to stay engaged and productive. Graduates will also need to adapt to the changing environment where they can meet the needs of the customers that will be more and more dependent on technology and their ability to conduct business virtually.
What experience really stands out on Desktop Engineer resumes?
Nil Ergin Ph.D.: Knowledge of analytical skills, methods, and tools for analysis, design, and management of complex systems and experience working with interdisciplinary teams are essential for systems engineering professionals. Experience in applying systems thinking and design thinking approaches to understanding organization, technical, and non-technical factors that influence the design and performance of complex systems stands out on resumes.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Desktop Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Stephen Hyzny: Security, as more people need online services, the protection behind that technology will be needed.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Desktop Engineers in the next 5 years?
Stephen Hyzny: As everything involves technology, more educated people will need it in the future. As our cars, houses, and lives connect, people will be required to make it all work.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Desktop Engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.: -The enormous growth of IoT and wearables. The number of connected devices is expected to be more than 26 billion in 2020. That includes things like household appliances, controllable lighting, and much more. This trend is likely to continue as it is expected to see the industry grow to 661 billion dollars by 2021.
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.
What type of skills will young Desktop Engineers need?
Joshua Davis Ph.D.: Studying mathematics is good practice for rigorous thinking and problem solving, which are valued across the workforce. For science and engineering applications, it is often also helpful to have R, Python, Matlab, or another popular programming language. But technical abilities get the graduate-only so far. They need interpersonal communication skills so that they can understand the needs of stakeholders and cooperate with colleagues. For this reason, many faculty at my school emphasize writing, speaking, listening, and teamwork skills.