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Desktop support contractor vs help desk analyst

The differences between desktop support contractors and help desk analysts 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 contractor and a help desk analyst. Additionally, a desktop support contractor has an average salary of $43,977, which is higher than the $37,318 average annual salary of a help desk analyst.

The top three skills for a desktop support contractor include desktop support, laptop computers and PC. The most important skills for a help desk analyst are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.

Desktop support contractor vs help desk analyst overview

Desktop Support ContractorHelp Desk Analyst
Yearly salary$43,977$37,318
Hourly rate$21.14$17.94
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs110,47287,591
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Desktop support contractor vs help desk analyst salary

Desktop support contractors and help desk analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Desktop Support ContractorHelp Desk Analyst
Average salary$43,977$37,318
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $65,000Between $26,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City-Boston, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Pacific Investment Management Company LLC
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between desktop support contractor and help desk analyst education

There are a few differences between a desktop support contractor and a help desk analyst in terms of educational background:

Desktop Support ContractorHelp Desk Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorComputer Information SystemsComputer Information Systems
Most common collegeCarnegie Mellon UniversityStanford University

Desktop support contractor vs help desk analyst demographics

Here are the differences between desktop support contractors' and help desk analysts' demographics:

Desktop Support ContractorHelp Desk Analyst
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 91.6% Female, 8.4%Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 10.9% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between desktop support contractor and help desk analyst duties and responsibilities

Desktop support contractor example responsibilities.

  • Manage special projects, test and troubleshoot applications, images, etc.
  • Manage LAN infrastructure configuring and maintaining all network hardware devices.
  • Resolve hardware (PC, peripherals, network) and software issues.
  • Re-Establish a stable state for the PC and users.
  • Install and support Novell, Microsoft and Citrix servers.
  • Cloned computer using imaging software (DSM, SCCM).
  • Show more

Help desk analyst example responsibilities.

  • Used Java script for client side validations and to achieve other client-side functionality.
  • Manage TCP/IP base campus data communications facilities.
  • Manage security, reliability, and configurations for data backup and recovery for client workstations.
  • Resolve technical issues with software applications, PCs, connectivity problems, and software/hardware installations and administrations.
  • Analyze and resolve issues with Linux and Java base POS systems.
  • Provide user access support via VPN, SSL/VPN, CITRIX, for authentication and account issues.
  • Show more

Desktop support contractor vs help desk analyst skills

Common desktop support contractor skills
  • Desktop Support, 9%
  • Laptop Computers, 8%
  • PC, 7%
  • Remote Desktop, 7%
  • Network Printers, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
Common help desk analyst skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 4%
  • Remote Desktop, 3%
  • Technical Issues, 3%

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