Post job

Desktop support lead technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a desktop support lead technician. Desktop support lead technicians usually study computer information systems, computer science, or information technology. 42% of desktop support lead technicians hold a bachelor's degree, and 37% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 437 real desktop support lead technician resumes to see exactly what desktop support lead technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for desktop support lead technicians are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online desktop support lead technician courses to help get the education required to be a desktop support lead technician.

What education do you need to become a desktop support lead technician?

What degree do you need to be a desktop support lead technician?

The most common degree for desktop support lead technicians is bachelor's degree, with 42% of desktop support lead technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 37% and associate degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 42%
  • Associate, 37%
  • High School Diploma, 7%
  • Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a desktop support lead technician?

You should major in computer information systems to become a desktop support lead technician. 15% of desktop support lead technicians major in computer information systems. Other common majors for a desktop support lead technician include computer science and information technology.

Most common colleges for desktop support lead technicians

Desktop support lead technicians often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, DeVry University, and The Art Institute of Houston. Here are the most common colleges for desktop support lead technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Desktop support lead technician common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix21.05%
DeVry University10.53%
The Art Institute of Houston5.26%
Valdosta State University5.26%
University of Maryland - Baltimore County5.26%

Best majors for desktop support lead technicians

Best colleges for desktop support lead technicians

The best colleges for desktop support lead technicians are Johns Hopkins University, Syracuse University, and University of Pittsburgh.

A desktop support lead technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for desktop support lead technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become desktop support lead technicians.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

6. University of California, Irvine

Irvine, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,700

Enrollment

29,722

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

8. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$53,880

Enrollment

6,590

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$9,101

Enrollment

23,708

20 best online courses for desktop support lead technicians

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to Technical Support

coursera

Technical Support professionals are in great demand! This is the first course in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate program, designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in technical support. You will begin this self-paced course by learning what Informational Technology (IT) support is all about. You'll find out the roles and responsibilities of Technical Support professionals and become familiar with all the different career paths you can take in Technical Support. You will also...

2. Network Support Fundamentals

coursera

Dive into the realm of network support with the Network Support Fundamentals course. This online course is meticulously designed to introduce you to the essential skills needed for supporting enterprise networks - one of the most in-demand skill sets in the digital landscape. By the end of this course you will be able to explain network security basics, monitor network performance, and provide essential professional support. Ideal for beginners aiming for an entry-level IT career or current IT...

3. Computer Network Fundamentals- IT Helpdesk & Desktop Support

udemy
4
(409)

Learn the basic fundamentals of computer networking & OSI model for desktop support and IT service desk technicians...

4. IT/Desktop Computer Support- Troubleshooting for Technicians

udemy
4.2
(306)

Learn how to troubleshoot desktop computer issues as an IT Support Technician on real-world organisational networks...

5. Basic Computer Course - Windows 7/10 - IT & Desktop Support

udemy
4.7
(1,213)

Basic computer course with troubleshooting skills -computer hardware and computer networking, for IT support technicians...

6. Desktop IT Support Level 1 & 2 in real life (Troubleshooting

udemy
4.2
(1,443)

Learn everything in real life Troubleshooting for IT Help Desk , Helpdesk , IT Support , System Administration and IT...

7. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

udemy
4.1
(314)

For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...

8. IT & Technical Support Guide to Helpdesk, Desktop & Servers

udemy
4.2
(1,138)

Learn how the different levels of IT technical support work, from service desk to infrastructure and server support...

9. IT Support Technical Skills Helpdesk

udemy
4.7
(1,561)

Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Learners...

10. IT Support Technical Skills Bootcamp

udemy
4.5
(1,653)

Hands-on Technical skills for IT Support Professionals...

11. Active Directory & Group Policy Administration for IT Techs

udemy
4.5
(651)

Active Directory & Group Policy Administration Basics for Helpdesk and Desktop / IT Support Technicians...

12. Advanced IT Troubleshooting for Helpdesk Support Technicians

udemy
4.2
(1,080)

Learn some of the less common IT troubleshooting techniques for Windows computers...

13. Remote Desktop Services Windows Server 2016

udemy
4.6
(1,444)

Learn RDS Sessions and Application on Windows Server 2016 and Get Everything You Need To Start Deploying RDS...

14. Deploying Windows Virtual Desktop in Microsoft Azure

udemy
4.2
(374)

Delivering Remote Desktops and Apps in Azure with Windows Virtual Desktop and Azure AD Domain Services...

15. Citrix Fundamentals for Beginners.

udemy
4.5
(971)

Learn to support end-users accessing virtual apps and desktops as part of a Citrix solution...

16. IT Support/HelpDesk Fundamentals - 9 Topics in one course!

udemy
4.6
(916)

Master the skills and attributes sought after by employers for IT Help Desk, IT Support, and IT Technician positions...

17. Windows Server 2019: Active Directory, GPO, R. Server Access

udemy
4.7
(4,916)

Training For Beginners - Become a Network Administrator in Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with Remote Server Access!...

18. Citrix Application and Desktop Virtualization - 7.6

udemy
4.6
(2,958)

Master Deploying, managing and implementing App and Desktop Solutions for Citrix Xen App and Xen Desktop 7.6...

19. Zero to Hero with Azure Virtual Desktop AVD

udemy
4.6
(2,175)

Getting started with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) ARM (previously named Windows Virtual Desktop WVD)...

20. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

udemy
4.5
(941)

Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

Top 10 most affordable universities for desktop support lead technicians

The most affordable schools for desktop support lead technicians are Clayton State University, suny polytechnic institute, and suny stony brook.

If the best universities for desktop support lead technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for desktop support lead technicians.

1. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

2. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

3. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Cost of attendance

24,718

4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas

Barranquitas, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,479

5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla

Aguadilla, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,284

6. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Cost of attendance

13,564

7. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

9. Minnesota State University - Mankato

Mankato, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$8,184

Cost of attendance

19,883

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Guayama

Guayama, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,893

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for desktop support lead technicians

The hardest universities for desktop support lead technicians to get into are Johns Hopkins University, Syracuse University, and University of Pittsburgh.

Some great schools for desktop support lead technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for desktop support lead technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

2. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

3. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

4. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,326

5. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

6. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

8. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

9. University of Redlands

Redlands, CA • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,189

10. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

Admissions rate

65%

SAT average

1,176

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for desktop support lead technicians

The easiest schools for desktop support lead technicians to get into are Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, kean university, and lindenwood university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a desktop support lead technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for desktop support lead technicians.

1. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,148

2. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

3. Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,117

4. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

5. Towson University

Towson, MD • Private

Admissions rate

79%

SAT average

1,131

6. University of Redlands

Redlands, CA • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,189

7. Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,080

8. Pace University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

1,154

9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

Admissions rate

65%

SAT average

1,176

10. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

Average desktop support lead technician salary by education level

According to our data, desktop support lead technicians with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $82,063 annually. Desktop support lead technicians with a Doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $76,323.
Desktop support lead technician education levelDesktop support lead technician salary
Master's Degree$82,063
High School Diploma or Less$55,509
Bachelor's Degree$65,938
Doctorate Degree$76,323
Some College/ Associate Degree$57,415

Desktop support lead technician education FAQs

Search for desktop support lead technician jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs