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The differences between desktop support consultants and computer 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 consultant and a computer technician. Additionally, a desktop support consultant has an average salary of $46,733, which is higher than the $39,767 average annual salary of a computer technician.
The top three skills for a desktop support consultant include desktop support, customer service and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a computer technician are customer service, desk support, and network printers.
| Desktop Support Consultant | Computer Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $46,733 | $39,767 |
| Hourly rate | $22.47 | $19.12 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 100,650 | 95,688 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The duties of a desk support consultant vary on their line of work or industry of employment. Most of their responsibilities are likely to revolve around reaching out to clients through calls and correspondence, answering inquiries, troubleshooting, and providing corrective measures, all to attain customer satisfaction. Moreover, a desk support consultant may devise strategies to better communicate with clients, produce progress reports, and maintain accurate records of all transactions. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to all policies and regulations at all times.
Computer technicians are skilled information technology professionals who handle concerns related to computers. They are responsible for assisting clients in software installations, troubleshooting needs, and repair needs. Computer technicians handle the maintenance and repair of both software and hardware of computers. They should be able to quickly pinpoint the causes of computer problems that the client encounters. They should also be able to answer the clients' computer-related inquiries and provide advice on proper computer handling. Computer technicians should have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Desktop support consultants and computer technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Support Consultant | Computer Technician | |
| Average salary | $46,733 | $39,767 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $64,000 | Between $28,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Alexandria, VA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Virginia |
| Best paying company | NTT Data International L.L.C. | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Government |
There are a few differences between a desktop support consultant and a computer technician in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Support Consultant | Computer Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between desktop support consultants' and computer technicians' demographics:
| Desktop Support Consultant | Computer Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 85.0% Female, 15.0% | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 13.5% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |