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The differences between desktop support analysts and computer analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a desktop support analyst, becoming a computer analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a computer analyst has an average salary of $75,852, which is higher than the $48,674 average annual salary of a desktop support analyst.
The top three skills for a desktop support analyst include desktop support, customer service and computer system. The most important skills for a computer analyst are computer system, troubleshoot, and C++.
| Desktop Support Analyst | Computer Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $48,674 | $75,852 |
| Hourly rate | $23.40 | $36.47 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 99,621 | 75,369 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A desktop support analyst's role is to develop strategies and systems to improve and coordinate desktop support efforts. Their responsibilities revolve around testing and modifying existing networks and systems, providing corrective measures on issues and concerns, performing regular inspections, troubleshooting, and maintaining inventories on software, hardware, and other applications. Furthermore, as a desktop support analyst, it is essential to respond to calls and correspondence from clients, all while adhering to the policies and regulations of the company.
A computer analyst is responsible for generating technical solutions to improve operational efficiency and processes. Computer analysts create models for system applications and perform upgrades on software and hardware networks to boost optimization. They also develop strategic methods to enhance the performance of existing systems and identify inconsistencies for immediate resolution. A computer analyst must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in managing the security of computer data and setting the configuration and accessibility of networks for authorized users.
Desktop support analysts and computer analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Support Analyst | Computer Analyst | |
| Average salary | $48,674 | $75,852 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $57,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Cambridge Associates | Citi |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a desktop support analyst and a computer analyst in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Support Analyst | Computer Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between desktop support analysts' and computer analysts' demographics:
| Desktop Support Analyst | Computer Analyst | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% | Male, 71.4% Female, 28.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 12.3% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 14.6% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |