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The differences between desktop/network supports and computer support specialists 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/network support and a computer support specialist. Additionally, a computer support specialist has an average salary of $63,926, which is higher than the $49,480 average annual salary of a desktop/network support.
The top three skills for a desktop/network support include customer service, technical support and software applications. The most important skills for a computer support specialist are computer support, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Desktop/Network Support | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $49,480 | $63,926 |
| Hourly rate | $23.79 | $30.73 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 119,310 | 114,029 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A desktop/network support is responsible for assisting end-users and customers on their computer and network issues, performing troubleshooting procedures, and guiding them with the step-by-step resolution. Desktop/network supports handle system configuration and upgrades of network components to increase efficiency and optimal performance. They also identify the source of defects by asking questions and creating support tickets for the users. A desktop/network support must have excellent technical and communication skills, especially in writing resolution reports for reference to avoid the reoccurrence of system malfunctions.
A Computer Support Specialist is responsible for providing the highest customer service for clients with technical and system issues, resolving network failures, and creating support tickets for IT personnel. Computer Support Specialists utilize various system tools and applications to diagnose end-users network issues and conduct immediate troubleshooting. They also help the IT staff design and improve system features and infrastructures and create instructional manuals for deliverables. A Computer Support Specialist must have excellent technical and communication skills to document customers' requests and identify system solutions.
Desktop/network supports and computer support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop/Network Support | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $49,480 | $63,926 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $68,000 | Between $44,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Visa | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a desktop/network support and a computer support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Desktop/Network Support | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between desktop/network supports' and computer support specialists' demographics:
| Desktop/Network Support | Computer Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2% | Male, 80.1% Female, 19.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |