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The differences between desktop/network supports and information technology/support technicians 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 an information technology/support technician. Additionally, a desktop/network support has an average salary of $49,480, which is higher than the $45,591 average annual salary of an information technology/support technician.
The top three skills for a desktop/network support include customer service, technical support and software applications. The most important skills for an information technology/support technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and computer system.
| Desktop/Network Support | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $49,480 | $45,591 |
| Hourly rate | $23.79 | $21.92 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 119,310 | 161,748 |
| 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.
An information technology (IT) support technician is an individual who is responsible for providing support and troubleshoots software and hardware problems faced by customers. As for larger organizations that have their own IT department, technicians must work together internally with their IT staff members. IT support technicians are involved in inspecting and resolving minor local area network and wireless network issues, which include TCP/IP, DHCP, and VPN. They are also required to obtain an associate's degree in computer science or related field.
Desktop/network supports and information technology/support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop/Network Support | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Average salary | $49,480 | $45,591 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $68,000 | Between $31,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | Visa | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a desktop/network support and an information technology/support technician in terms of educational background:
| Desktop/Network Support | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between desktop/network supports' and information technology/support technicians' demographics:
| Desktop/Network Support | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2% | Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6% |
| 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, 10.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 13.2% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |