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The differences between desktop support analysts and systems support specialists 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 systems support specialist. Additionally, a systems support specialist has an average salary of $61,744, 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 systems support specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Desktop Support Analyst | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $48,674 | $61,744 |
| Hourly rate | $23.40 | $29.68 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 99,621 | 159,364 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| 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 systems support specialist is responsible for assisting end-users on system issues, including network configuration and improving network infrastructure. System support specialists implement network strategies alongside the whole technology team to boost the system's efficiency and optimal performance. They create resolution reports for reference and write recommendations to prevent system defects and inconsistencies. A systems support specialist also handles network installations and upgrades, requiring them to have excellent technical skills and knowledge of programming languages.
Desktop support analysts and systems support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Support Analyst | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $48,674 | $61,744 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $41,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Centreville, VA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Cambridge Associates | Koch Industries |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a desktop support analyst and a systems support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Support Analyst | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between desktop support analysts' and systems support specialists' demographics:
| Desktop Support Analyst | Systems Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% | Male, 73.4% Female, 26.6% |
| 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, 11.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |