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What does a desktop support technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Ming Chow
What does a desktop support technician do

A desktop support technician is responsible for troubleshooting defective computer systems, affecting its performance and efficiency. Desktop support technicians must be highly familiar with the technology systems and programming codes to navigate system applications and locate the discrepancy of the system. They keep documentation of the ticket issue and the resolution for reference and quality improvement. A desktop support technician also configures and updates computer systems and networks for better optimization, as well as conducting regular inspections and monitoring the efficiency of installed programs and patches.

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Desktop support technician responsibilities

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

  • 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.
  • Blackberry and android setup and activation.
  • Support a legacy system which requires a client certificate and a specific Java version and configuration.
  • Create documentation how to fix SCCM remotely with co-worker to fix multiple system on-site and remote site.
  • Experience with Linux operating systems, hardware creating, changing, and deleting user accounts per request.
  • Test the compatibility of software and OS updates with legacy applications to determine feasibility of implementing new resources within the network.
  • Shorten migration time by implementing SCCM installs over the network, allowing more machines to complete in the time frame allot.
  • Perform wireless configuration and VPN support.
  • Perform software deployment/management and support Apple/Windows OS base devices.
  • Help users working remotely including all application support and configuring VPN access.
  • Perform Backup/Recovery strategies, disaster recovery tasks, and troubleshoot network connectivity issues.
  • Design implementation and distribution system for quarterly software updates perform on these PCs.

Desktop support technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Desktop Support Technicians 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 Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 12%

    Recognized by management for customer relations and complaint resolution resulting in several customer service awards based on customer satisfaction feedback.

  • Desktop Support, 10%

    Provide Desktop support functions including visiting the end user area to research and resolve hardware/software/connectivity issues.

  • Troubleshoot, 8%

    Installed, configure and troubleshoot computer hardware, operating systems, network configurations and software

  • Technical Support, 6%

    Worked for Ascension Health owned medical offices and hospitals providing technical support of desktop computers, applications and related technology.

  • Remote Desktop, 3%

    Support provided via desk-side and remote access through utilizing Microsoft Remote Desktop and Motorola Timbuktu Remote access software.

  • Laptop Computers, 3%

    Installed and supported desktop and laptop computers including hardware\software setup and configuration throughout the campus.

"customer service," "desktop support," and "troubleshoot" are among the most common skills that desktop support technicians use at work. You can find even more desktop support technician responsibilities below, including:

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a desktop support technician 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 technician resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "resolved daily users and customers problems related hardware, software issues and help them to upgrade their pcs and notebook systems. "

Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling desktop support technician 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 technician resume, here's how desktop support technicians can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "communicated professionally with industry-leading customer service. "

Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of desktop support technicians is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday desktop support technician duties, as "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "connected pcs to network and set up peripheral equipment, and allied devices, troubleshot and resolved connectivity to the network. "

Speaking skills. A big part of what desktop support technicians do relies on "speaking skills." You can see how essential it is to desktop support technician responsibilities because "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical desktop support technician tasks: "represented the company specifications, installation and testing of computer systems and peripherals within established guidelines. "

Writing skills. Another common skill required for desktop support technician responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of desktop support technicians all the time, as "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." An excerpt from a real desktop support technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a desktop support technician does: "escalated technical issues verbally and in writing to team members, senior staff, and, management. "

All desktop support technician skills

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Compare different desktop support technicians

Desktop support technician vs. Administrative technical support

Administrative technical support maintains every technical set-up used in a company. Their primary responsibility is to inspect a company's systems, evaluate for issues, and repair any problems immediately. Administrative technical support is typically on call at the start of the day and, when they are not responding to calls, they conduct regular check-ups on all company systems. They are also responsible for creating technical reports and offering recommendations for improvements.

If we compare the average desktop support technician annual salary with that of an administrative technical support, we find that administrative technical supports typically earn a $4,961 higher salary than desktop support technicians make annually.Even though desktop support technicians and administrative technical supports are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, desktop support technician responsibilities require skills like "desktop support," "laptop computers," "os," and "sccm." Meanwhile a typical administrative technical support has skills in areas such as "phone calls," "data entry," "desk support," and "email accounts." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

The education levels that administrative technical supports earn slightly differ from desktop support technicians. In particular, administrative technical supports are 3.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a desktop support technician. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Desktop support technician vs. Technical support engineer

A technical support engineer is responsible for responding to customer issues, providing immediate resolutions to their system issues through remote assistance. Technical support engineers must have strong knowledge of software and hardware applications to diagnose system defects and process troubleshooting. They also assist customers with the installation of programs and updates to improve system performance, escalating high-level concerns to appropriate internal technology teams. A technical support engineer must have strong command with technical systems, as well as excellent communication and time-management skills to understand clients' issues while documenting procedures.

On average, technical support engineers earn a $43,924 higher salary than desktop support technicians a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Desktop support technicians and technical support engineers both require similar skills like "customer service," "desktop support," and "troubleshoot" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that desktop support technician responsibilities requires skills like "remote desktop," "laptop computers," "network printers," and "pcs." But a technical support engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "java," "customer issues," "database," and "customer satisfaction."

Technical support engineers earn a higher average salary than desktop support technicians. But technical support engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $82,316. Additionally, desktop support technicians earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $49,591 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Technical support engineers tend to reach higher levels of education than desktop support technicians. In fact, they're 5.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for desktop support technicians 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 technician 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.

On average scale, systems supports bring in higher salaries than desktop support technicians. In fact, they earn a $22,239 higher salary per year.desktop support technicians and systems supports both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "desktop support," and "troubleshoot," 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 technician is likely to be skilled in "laptop computers," "pcs," "user support," and "strong customer service," while a typical systems support is skilled in "pc," "provides technical support," "end user support," and "system support."

Systems supports make a very good living in the professional industry with an average annual salary of $72,760. On the other hand, desktop support technicians are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $49,591.Most systems supports achieve a similar degree level compared to desktop support technicians. For example, they're 4.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Desktop support technician vs. Technician support tier

A technician support tier focuses on providing technical support to clients or employees within a company. Typically working in a team setting, a technician support tier addresses technical problems and troubleshoots to identify the root of the issues and perform necessary corrective measures or repairs. Their responsibilities also revolve around responding to inquiries, answering calls and correspondence, conducting regular maintenance of systems and networks, maintaining records of all transactions, and supporting software and networks. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with all team members while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

Technician support tiers typically earn higher pay than desktop support technicians. On average, technician support tiers earn a $13,097 higher salary per year.While both desktop support technicians and technician support tiers 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 technician uses "troubleshoot," "laptop computers," "network printers," and "os." Technician support tiers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "phone calls," "cisco ios," "tier ii," and "lan. "In general, technician support tiers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $62,098. The highest-paying industry for a desktop support technician is the finance industry.technician support tiers reach similar levels of education compared to desktop support technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of desktop support technician

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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