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The differences between desktop/network supports and software 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 a software support technician. Additionally, a software support technician has an average salary of $79,670, 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 software support technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and java.
| Desktop/Network Support | Software Support Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $49,480 | $79,670 |
| Hourly rate | $23.79 | $38.30 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 119,310 | 117,059 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| 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 software support technician is responsible for resolving software application issues, diagnosing related system failures, and writing resolution reports for reference. Software support technicians must be highly-familiarized with the system's infrastructure and interface to immediately diagnose malfunctions and identify maintenance techniques to prevent the reoccurrence of downtimes and delays. They also assist the system engineers in the configuration and optimization of networks, including the installment of upgrades and patch updates. A software support technician must have excellent organizational and communication skills, especially in navigating computer tools and applications to create support tickets and fix the customers' issues efficiently.
Desktop/network supports and software support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop/Network Support | Software Support Technician | |
| Average salary | $49,480 | $79,670 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $68,000 | Between $55,000 And $113,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Visa | RSM US |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a desktop/network support and a software support technician in terms of educational background:
| Desktop/Network Support | Software Support Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between desktop/network supports' and software support technicians' demographics:
| Desktop/Network Support | Software Support Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.8% Female, 22.2% | Male, 73.8% Female, 26.2% |
| 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, 10.6% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 12.4% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |