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What is a desktop support technician and how to become one
A desktop support technician provides technical assistance to computer users in an organization. They troubleshoot software and hardware issues, install and configure hardware and software, and maintain computer networks. They may also provide technology training to users. Desktop support technicians work with operating systems, productivity software, and networking equipment. They must effectively communicate complex technical information to non-technical users. They aim to ensure computer systems run smoothly and maximize productivity in the workplace.
What general advice would you give to a Desktop Support Technician?
Ranganathan Chandrasekaran
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, University of Illinois
Several businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, and they have rolled back their offers made to students for internships and jobs. Businesses have also resorted to downsizing and layoffs, and we are likely to see that continue, at least in the near term. However, two sectors that are showing promises of a quick turnaround are technology and healthcare.
It might take many months for the economy to get back on track, but the demand for information systems graduates is likely to grow, as a large number of businesses have turned to increased use of technology in this pandemic period. As more companies go digital, we need more professionals to manage the remote-work, technological infrastructure and meet the other demands of the business. Students pursuing education in information systems, computer science, and healthcare are going to be in greater demand.
On the positive side, the uncertainties induced by the pandemic have also helped students to prepare themselves better for a tougher job market. I found many students rise up and use the lockdown period to have a serious introspection and invest their time and effort in upgrading their knowledge and skills. The internship drought and rescinding of job/internship offers brought their dreams crashing down, but I found several students to quickly get over their disappointments, and engage in improving their skillsets utilizing the pandemic lockdown as an opportunity. I am aware of many students, especially in the information systems disciple, who spent time doing online courses, completing certification programs, and take up DIY projects on data analysis, developing analytical and forecasting models, and visualization of various aspects of the pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in massive amounts of data, released by several organizations worldwide, that have provided a stimulant for students to indulge in DIY-projects. I had several students approach me over summer to do some projects, and we have done some interesting projects using public datasets related to COVID-19.
Avg. Salary $41,792
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 10%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%
Asian 11.73%
Black or African American 11.58%
Hispanic or Latino 16.37%
Unknown 5.39%
White 54.52%
Genderfemale 10.19%
male 89.81%
Age - 41American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 41Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is good
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a Desktop Support Technician?
Pros
High demand for experienced technicians
Opportunities for professional development and advancement
Opportunity to work in a team environment
Competitive salary and benefits package
Flexible work schedule or remote work options may be available
Cons
May require working outside of regular business hours, including weekends and holidays
Can be physically demanding if there is a need to move heavy equipment or work in cramped spaces
May have to deal with repetitive tasks
May need to work long hours during system upgrades or other projects
Can be difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance if on-call responsibilities are required
Desktop Support Technician career paths
Key steps to become a desktop support technician
Explore desktop support technician education requirements
Start to develop specific desktop support technician skills
Skills Percentages Customer Service 11.51% Desktop Support 10.46% Troubleshoot 8.39% Technical Support 6.11% Remote Desktop 3.42% Complete relevant desktop support technician training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New desktop support technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a desktop support technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real desktop support technician resumes.Gain additional desktop support technician certifications
More About CertificationsDesktop support technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific desktop support technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for desktop support technicians include Certified Network Computer Technician (CNCT) and Security 5 Certification.
Research desktop support technician duties and responsibilities
- Manage and troubleshoot network connectivity with TCP/IP
- Coordinate and manage a large-scale VOIP phone system conversion project for high-profile corporate customer.
- Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
- Deploy WINTERMS on CITRIX platform.
Prepare your desktop support technician resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your desktop support technician resume.
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Apply for desktop support technician jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a desktop support technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Desktop Support Technician Job
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Average desktop support technician salary
The average Desktop Support Technician salary in the United States is $41,792 per year or $20 per hour. Desktop support technician salaries range between $32,000 and $54,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do desktop support technicians rate their job?
Desktop Support Technician reviews
I have aids now due to the painfulness of sitting down all day
You get to help a lot of people in many different ways as well as learning new things about technology
There was nothing to like. Everyone was polite an hard workers
Working with The people
I decided to go to technical support because I've been fascinated by technology all my life and I love working with the people as well. I want to use my technical know-how to solve directly the problems that customers have. I want to be the person who makes life easier and more enjoyable for people who have had a problem. This is what I like most as a technical Support.
I don't like sitting around being inactive. So I'll keep my self always busy
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Updated January 8, 2025
