What does a desktop support analyst do?

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.
Desktop support analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real desktop support analyst resumes:
- Manage LAN infrastructure configuring and maintaining all network hardware devices.
- Provide hardware and software support, coordinate and implement high volume workstation deployments, troubleshoot and administrate IEC production workstations.
- Configure several software applications for use in CITRIX XenApp.
- Maintain current patch levels for desktop OS and applications issues to isolate problem, then resolve or escalate as needed.
- Establish connections through VPN, SSLVPN, and homegrown applications for remote access to network resources on laptops & mobile devices.
- Complete Citrix training for installation and maintenance of computer servers.
- Install, configure and troubleshoot computer hardware operating systems, network configurations and software.
- Ensure functionality of enterprise business applications by configuring OS settings and troubleshooting connectivity issues.
- Provide remote support for sales division which include troubleshooting home network connectivity and VPN connectivity issues.
- Provide component level replacement for hardware resolution on workstations, notebook computers, printers and peripheral equipment.
- Provide technical assistance in virus cleanup, configuration and installation of new workstations and computer training facility setup.
- Monitor all ticketing system and follow timely resolution of all work orders and documentation in remedy.
Desktop support analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Desktop Support Analysts are proficient in Desktop Support, Customer Service, and Computer System. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Desktop Support Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Desktop Support, 11%
Hired as a full-time desktop support analyst to provide systems administration, AD administration, Exchange Server administrator and backup administration.
- Customer Service, 10%
Build customer relationships, and improve customer service satisfaction by maintaining communication with customer and evaluating trends analysis
- Computer System, 8%
Assessed customer needs, ordered components, assembled and installed computer systems and configured software and peripherals for customers.
- Software Issues, 7%
Provided timely technical support of hardware/software issues for on-site and remote users.
- Technical Problems, 6%
Documented, tracked and monitored technical problems to ensure a timely resolution.
- Troubleshoot, 5%
Provided hardware and software support, coordinated and implemented high volume workstation deployments, troubleshoot and administrated IEC production workstations.
Most desktop support analysts use their skills in "desktop support," "customer service," and "computer system" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential desktop support analyst responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a desktop support analyst to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Desktop support analysts often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "deployed new pcs and peripherals, ensuring customer functionality. "
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling desktop support analyst duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." According to a desktop support analyst resume, here's how desktop support analysts can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "insured workstations and instruments communicated. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of desktop support analysts is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday desktop support analyst duties, as "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "transitioned those databases to samanage (cloud-based asset management solution). "
Speaking skills. desktop support analyst responsibilities often require "speaking skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." This resume example shows what desktop support analysts do with speaking skills on a typical day: "addressed hardware and software problems using diagnostic test equipment. "
Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in desktop support analyst job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what desktop support analysts do. Desktop support analyst responsibilities rely on this skill because "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." You can also see how desktop support analyst duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "escalated technical issues verbally and in writing to team members, senior staff, and, management. "
The three companies that hire the most desktop support analysts are:
- Robert Half165 desktop support analysts jobs
- TEKsystems21 desktop support analysts jobs
- Stantec19 desktop support analysts jobs
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Desktop support analyst vs. Information technology/support technician
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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a desktop support analyst are more likely to require skills like "desktop support," "technical support," "strong problem-solving," and "laptop computers." On the other hand, a job as an information technology/support technician requires skills like "desk support," "phone calls," "user support," and "database." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Information technology/support technicians really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $53,210. Comparatively, desktop support analysts tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $64,184.The education levels that information technology/support technicians earn slightly differ from desktop support analysts. In particular, information technology/support technicians are 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a desktop support analyst. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Desktop support analyst vs. Desktop engineer
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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, desktop support analyst responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "technical problems," "strong problem-solving," "laptop computers," and "pcs." Meanwhile, a desktop engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "powershell," "pc," "vdi," and "mdt." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Desktop engineers earn a higher average salary than desktop support analysts. But desktop engineers earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $105,574. Additionally, desktop support analysts earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $64,184 annually.In general, desktop engineers achieve similar levels of education than desktop support analysts. They're 0.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for desktop support analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.
Desktop support analyst vs. Help desk specialist
The primary role of help desk specialists is to maintain relationships between the company and its customers. Their duties and responsibilities include responding to guests' queries, providing technical computer support, and maintaining computer systems' performance. Help desk specialists are also responsible for following up with customers to resolve issues and train computer users. There are several requirements to be qualified for this position, which include having relevant customer service experience, problem-solving and analytical skills, and the ability to prioritize vital tasks.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from desktop support analyst resumes include skills like "desktop support," "strong problem-solving," "laptop computers," and "excellent interpersonal," whereas a help desk specialist is more likely to list skills in "desk support," "phone calls," "client facing," and "provide technical assistance. "
Help desk specialists earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $60,916. Desktop support analysts earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $64,184.help desk specialists typically earn similar educational levels compared to desktop support analysts. Specifically, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Desktop support analyst vs. Computer analyst
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.
Types of desktop support analyst
Updated January 8, 2025











