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What does a Desktop Support Specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted Expert
Ming Chow
What does a Desktop Support Specialist do

A Desktop Support Specialist is focused on troubleshooting different software packages, hardware devices, and other peripherals. They monitor the performance of the company's desktop infrastructure.

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Desktop support specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real desktop support specialist resumes:

  • Manage computer assets utilizing Symantec Altiris.
  • Manage schedule software/Security patch upgrades via SCCM.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Deploy McAfee anti-virus tools across enterprise.
  • Automate fixes for common errors using Powershell and batch scripting.
  • Document software processes and core conversion software installations for VDI.
  • Create and deliver MDT training for internal and external audiences.
  • Coordinate a team of 24 techs utilizing the ITIL methodology.
  • Certify proper documentation and change management are followed using ITIL best standards.
  • Configure transmission internet protocol (TCP/IP) or dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP).
  • Used PowerShell to create script to automatically add admin group in build process of Xen servers.
  • Develop and maintain policies, documentation and procedures to ensure that VDI sessions are properly operate.
  • Institute policies and procedures governing LAN administration.
  • Provide network administration including LAN troubleshooting and resolution.
  • Distribute deployment design with VPN integration and site-to-site tunnels.

Desktop support specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Desktop Support Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Desktop Support, and Troubleshoot. 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 Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 10%

    Provided excellent communication and customer service skills to end-users and colleagues over ServiceNow, e-mails, phones and face-to-face encounters.

  • Desktop Support, 8%

    Level 2 Distributed Desktop Support Lead responsible for infrastructure maintenance and installation services within Microsoft Windows XP environment.

  • Troubleshoot, 7%

    Applied knowledge of state-of-the-art software, hardware, network infrastructure, and information technology to troubleshoot user/system problems.

  • PC, 6%

    Standardized PC imaging according to departmental specifications, which resulted in streamlined deployment and support processes.

  • Technical Support, 5%

    Provided technical support to multiple hospital and clinic facilities, troubleshooting and repairing hardware/software issues on desktops and laptops computers.

  • SCCM, 3%

    Manage scheduled software/Security patch upgrades via SCCM.

Most desktop support specialists use their skills in "customer service," "desktop support," and "troubleshoot" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential desktop support specialist responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a desktop support specialist to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Additionally, a desktop support specialist resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "provide support technical instructions and end user application support for external customers using web interface application and services as required. "

Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling desktop support specialist 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 specialist resume, here's how desktop support specialists can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated status updates with lan and dial-up users to resolve pending tickets. "

Problem-solving skills. desktop support specialists are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to desktop support specialist responsibilities, because "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." A desktop support specialist resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "performed troubleshooting and offered resolutions to network connectivity, hardware, and user migration and application support problems. "

Speaking skills. desktop support specialist 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 specialists do with speaking skills on a typical day: "addressed and resolved lan issues. "

Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in desktop support specialist job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what desktop support specialists do. Desktop support specialist 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 specialist duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "worked on writing stored procedures to poll data from sql server database and insert or update data into sql database. "

See the full list of desktop support specialist skills

The three companies that hire the most desktop support specialists are:

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Compare different desktop support specialists

Desktop support specialist 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.

If we compare the average desktop support specialist annual salary with that of an information technology/support technician, we find that information technology/support technicians typically earn a $629 higher salary than desktop support specialists make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both desktop support specialist and information technology/support technician positions are skilled in customer service, troubleshoot, and sccm.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between desktop support specialists and information technology/support technician. For instance, desktop support specialist responsibilities require skills such as "desktop support," "pc," "technical support," and "laptop computers." Whereas a information technology/support technician is skilled in "desk support," "phone calls," "pcs," and "database." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Information technology/support technicians tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,210. In contrast, desktop support specialists make the biggest average salary, $53,933, in the finance industry.The education levels that information technology/support technicians earn slightly differ from desktop support specialists. In particular, information technology/support technicians are 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a desktop support specialist. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Desktop support specialist vs. Systems support

A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables. They also assist the technology team in designing backup systems and improve existing networks according to business requirements and specifications. They write resolution reports for reference to prevent the reoccurrence of system malfunction and inconsistencies.

Systems support positions earn higher pay than desktop support specialist roles. They earn a $19,069 higher salary than desktop support specialists per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Desktop support specialists and systems supports both require similar skills like "customer service," "desktop support," and "troubleshoot" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, desktop support specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "laptop computers," "user support," "strong customer service," and "microsoft windows." Meanwhile, a systems support has duties that require skills in areas such as "provides technical support," "end user support," "system support," and "lifecycle management." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Systems supports earn a higher average salary than desktop support specialists. But systems supports earn the highest pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $72,760. Additionally, desktop support specialists earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $53,933 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Systems supports tend to reach similar levels of education than desktop support specialists. In fact, they're 3.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Desktop Support Specialists in the next 3-5 years?

Ming ChowMing Chow LinkedIn Profile

Associate Teaching Professor, Tufts University

Infrastructure, including cloud and networking, Security, Machine Learning, and Data Science.

References:
1. cybersecurity
2. cybersecurity

Desktop support specialist vs. Technical support agent

A technical support agent specializes in providing computer and system support through calls and correspondence, ensuring optimal customer satisfaction. They are primarily responsible for assisting customers in troubleshooting and evaluating systems to figure out the cause of technical issues and talk them through its corresponding solution. Moreover, an agent must make follow-up calls to ensure that the problem no longer persists or forward them to higher authority personnel when necessary.

An average technical support agent eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of desktop support specialists. The difference in salaries amounts to technical support agents earning a $14,573 lower average salary than desktop support specialists.desktop support specialists and technical support agents both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "mac," and "os," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a desktop support specialist is likely to be skilled in "desktop support," "troubleshoot," "pc," and "technical support," while a typical technical support agent is skilled in "email clients," "technical support issues," "inbound calls," and "internet connectivity."

Technical support agents earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $32,552. Comparatively, desktop support specialists have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $53,933.When it comes to education, technical support agents tend to earn similar degree levels compared to desktop support specialists. In fact, they're 1.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Desktop support specialist vs. Technical specialist

The role of technical specialists is to provide technical support for applications and programs to staff members and customers within an organization. They train staff and customers on products and apps and offer advice on the best practices for utilizing technical programs and applications. They also design training materials to teach other staff members the most effective methods of using its technology. It is also their job to reduce company costs by looking for ways to improve productivity and lessen expenses.

Technical specialists average a higher salary than the annual salary of desktop support specialists. The difference is about $43,811 per year.While both desktop support specialists and technical specialists complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, desktop support, and technical support, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A desktop support specialist uses "troubleshoot," "pc," "sccm," and "remote desktop." Technical specialists are more likely to have duties that require skills in "patients," "project management," "customer satisfaction," and "c++. "In general, technical specialists earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $92,419. The highest-paying industry for a desktop support specialist is the finance industry.In general, technical specialists hold higher degree levels compared to desktop support specialists. Technical specialists are 6.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of desktop support specialist

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.

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