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The differences between desktop support analysts and desktop engineers 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 support analyst and a desktop engineer. Additionally, a desktop engineer has an average salary of $102,893, 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 desktop engineer are customer service, SCCM, and troubleshoot.
| Desktop Support Analyst | Desktop Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $48,674 | $102,893 |
| Hourly rate | $23.40 | $49.47 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 99,621 | 87,458 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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 desktop engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and performance of computer systems across the organization to deliver high-performance on business operations and client specifications. Desktop engineers resolve computer desktop issues, including navigation and security complications that create delays in the operational process. They conduct regular maintenance with the computer systems, upgrade network infrastructure, and perform configuration to ensure smooth functionality and resolutions. A desktop engineer should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, recommending system solutions to avoid the reoccurrence of network issues and glitches.
Desktop support analysts and desktop engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Support Analyst | Desktop Engineer | |
| Average salary | $48,674 | $102,893 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $77,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Cambridge Associates | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a desktop support analyst and a desktop engineer in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Support Analyst | Desktop Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between desktop support analysts' and desktop engineers' demographics:
| Desktop Support Analyst | Desktop Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 13.6% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |