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The differences between desktop/network supports and customer 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/network support and a customer support engineer. Additionally, a customer support engineer has an average salary of $82,674, 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 customer support engineer are customer support, technical support, and customer service.
| Desktop/Network Support | Customer Support Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $49,480 | $82,674 |
| Hourly rate | $23.79 | $39.75 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 119,310 | 138,641 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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 customer support engineer is responsible for providing the highest customer service by responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns and resolving their complaints regarding the technical products of the company. Customer support engineers handle escalated requests, determine technical solutions, and write resolution reports for reference. They also manage the installation and upgrades of network systems based on clients' specifications to ensure that their systems work with maximum performance. A customer support engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in recommending improvements to prevent system failures and minimize customers' complaints.
Desktop/network supports and customer support engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop/Network Support | Customer Support Engineer | |
| Average salary | $49,480 | $82,674 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $68,000 | Between $59,000 And $114,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Visa | Nokia |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a desktop/network support and a customer support engineer in terms of educational background:
| Desktop/Network Support | Customer Support Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between desktop/network supports' and customer support engineers' demographics:
| Desktop/Network Support | Customer Support Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2% | Male, 85.8% Female, 14.2% |
| 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, 9.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 15.0% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |