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The differences between desktop/network supports and network support analysts 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 network support analyst. Additionally, a network support analyst has an average salary of $83,921, 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 network support analyst are troubleshoot, switches, and routers.
| Desktop/Network Support | Network Support Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $49,480 | $83,921 |
| Hourly rate | $23.79 | $40.35 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 119,310 | 118,825 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| 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.
Network support analysts are professionals who provide technical support as well as maintain various network components for an organization's network system. These analysts are responsible for installing and configuring local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), internet systems, and other components of network systems. They are required to monitor the performance of networks and systems and align network use and access by using master consoles. Network support analysts must also organize and deploy security measures for the network so that they can safeguard software, hardware, and data.
Desktop/network supports and network support analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop/Network Support | Network Support Analyst | |
| Average salary | $49,480 | $83,921 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $68,000 | Between $54,000 And $128,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Visa | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a desktop/network support and a network support analyst in terms of educational background:
| Desktop/Network Support | Network Support Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between desktop/network supports' and network support analysts' demographics:
| Desktop/Network Support | Network Support Analyst | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2% | Male, 84.3% Female, 15.7% |
| 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, 8.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 10.9% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |