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The differences between desktop support analysts and information technology/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 support analyst and an information technology/support technician. Additionally, a desktop support analyst has an average salary of $48,674, which is higher than the $45,591 average annual salary of an information technology/support technician.
The top three skills for a desktop support analyst include desktop support, customer service and computer system. The most important skills for an information technology/support technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and computer system.
| Desktop Support Analyst | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $48,674 | $45,591 |
| Hourly rate | $23.40 | $21.92 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 99,621 | 161,748 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| 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.
An information technology (IT) support technician is an individual who is responsible for providing support and troubleshoots software and hardware problems faced by customers. As for larger organizations that have their own IT department, technicians must work together internally with their IT staff members. IT support technicians are involved in inspecting and resolving minor local area network and wireless network issues, which include TCP/IP, DHCP, and VPN. They are also required to obtain an associate's degree in computer science or related field.
Desktop support analysts and information technology/support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Support Analyst | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Average salary | $48,674 | $45,591 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $31,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | Cambridge Associates | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a desktop support analyst and an information technology/support technician in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Support Analyst | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between desktop support analysts' and information technology/support technicians' demographics:
| Desktop Support Analyst | Information Technology/Support Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% | Male, 85.4% Female, 14.6% |
| 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, 10.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 13.2% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |