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The differences between desktop/network supports and help desk 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 help desk specialist. Additionally, a help desk specialist has an average salary of $51,065, 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 help desk specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Desktop/Network Support | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $49,480 | $51,065 |
| Hourly rate | $23.79 | $24.55 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 119,310 | 75,004 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| 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.
The primary role of help desk specialists is to maintain relationships between the company and its customers. Their duties and responsibilities include responding to guests' queries, providing technical computer support, and maintaining computer systems' performance. Help desk specialists are also responsible for following up with customers to resolve issues and train computer users. There are several requirements to be qualified for this position, which include having relevant customer service experience, problem-solving and analytical skills, and the ability to prioritize vital tasks.
Desktop/network supports and help desk specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop/Network Support | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Average salary | $49,480 | $51,065 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $68,000 | Between $35,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Visa | Schulte Roth & Zabel |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a desktop/network support and a help desk specialist in terms of educational background:
| Desktop/Network Support | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between desktop/network supports' and help desk specialists' demographics:
| Desktop/Network Support | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2% | Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6% |
| 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, 12.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 11.6% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |