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The differences between desktop support analysts and 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 a technician. Additionally, a desktop support analyst has an average salary of $48,674, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a desktop support analyst include desktop support, customer service and computer system. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Desktop Support Analyst | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $48,674 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $23.40 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 99,621 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| 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.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Desktop support analysts and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Support Analyst | Technician | |
| Average salary | $48,674 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $65,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Cambridge Associates | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a desktop support analyst and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Support Analyst | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | - |
Here are the differences between desktop support analysts' and technicians' demographics:
| Desktop Support Analyst | Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 2% |