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Desktop service technician vs computer technician

The differences between desktop service technicians and computer technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a desktop service technician, becoming a computer technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a desktop service technician has an average salary of $55,718, which is higher than the $39,767 average annual salary of a computer technician.

The top three skills for a desktop service technician include PC, desktop support and voip. The most important skills for a computer technician are customer service, desk support, and network printers.

Desktop service technician vs computer technician overview

Desktop Service TechnicianComputer Technician
Yearly salary$55,718$39,767
Hourly rate$26.79$19.12
Growth rate8%10%
Number of jobs90,83295,688
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4442
Years of experience122

Desktop service technician vs computer technician salary

Desktop service technicians and computer technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Desktop Service TechnicianComputer Technician
Average salary$55,718$39,767
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $77,000Between $28,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City-Alexandria, VA
Highest paying state-Virginia
Best paying company-The Citadel
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between desktop service technician and computer technician education

There are a few differences between a desktop service technician and a computer technician in terms of educational background:

Desktop Service TechnicianComputer Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Desktop service technician vs computer technician demographics

Here are the differences between desktop service technicians' and computer technicians' demographics:

Desktop Service TechnicianComputer Technician
Average age4442
Gender ratioMale, 89.6% Female, 10.4%Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 1.7% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage1%11%

Differences between desktop service technician and computer technician duties and responsibilities

Desktop service technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage LAN infrastructure configuring and maintaining all network hardware devices.
  • Support VPN and VDI connections for remote workers.
  • Image and install OS and applications on desktops and laptops.
  • Assist users with VPN installation and setup to access network remotely.
  • Provide technical assistance in virus cleanup, configuration and installation of new workstations and computer training facility setup.
  • Deploy Microsoft SMS packages to add windows updates, anit-virus updates, and all other software packages via Microsoft SMS.
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Computer technician example responsibilities.

  • Recreate and manage company website, maintain regular updates, manage DNS servers, administrate e-mail and outlook exchange server.
  • Manage and maintain desktop security updates company-wide with no downtime of systems due to OS vulnerability exploitation.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Add and configure networked printers for TCP/IP printing and other peripheral equipment including video conferencing equipment.
  • Diagnose and troubleshot computer hardware and software.
  • Fix computers, do inventory of computers, run cables.
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Desktop service technician vs computer technician skills

Common desktop service technician skills
  • PC, 11%
  • Desktop Support, 5%
  • VoIP, 5%
  • Remote Desktop, 5%
  • Software Issues, 5%
  • Network Printers, 5%
Common computer technician skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Desk Support, 8%
  • Network Printers, 6%
  • Computer System, 6%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Laptop Computers, 5%

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