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The differences between desktop/network supports and desktop 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 desktop support specialist. Additionally, a desktop/network support has an average salary of $49,480, which is higher than the $44,962 average annual salary of a desktop support specialist.
The top three skills for a desktop/network support include customer service, technical support and software applications. The most important skills for a desktop support specialist are customer service, desktop support, and troubleshoot.
| Desktop/Network Support | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $49,480 | $44,962 |
| Hourly rate | $23.79 | $21.62 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 119,310 | 102,191 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| 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 Desktop Support Specialist is focused on troubleshooting different software packages, hardware devices, and other peripherals. They monitor the performance of the company's desktop infrastructure.
Desktop/network supports and desktop support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop/Network Support | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $49,480 | $44,962 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $68,000 | Between $33,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Visa | Cornerstone Research |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a desktop/network support and a desktop support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Desktop/Network Support | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between desktop/network supports' and desktop support specialists' demographics:
| Desktop/Network Support | Desktop Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2% | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% |
| 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, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 12.3% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |