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Freelance computer technician vs desk support technician

The differences between freelance computer technicians and desk support technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a freelance computer technician and a desk support technician. Additionally, a desk support technician has an average salary of $40,715, which is higher than the $32,797 average annual salary of a freelance computer technician.

The top three skills for a freelance computer technician include troubleshoot, laptop computers and printers. The most important skills for a desk support technician are customer service, technical support, and troubleshoot.

Freelance computer technician vs desk support technician overview

Freelance Computer TechnicianDesk Support Technician
Yearly salary$32,797$40,715
Hourly rate$15.77$19.57
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs74,145130,485
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

Freelance computer technician vs desk support technician salary

Freelance computer technicians and desk support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Freelance Computer TechnicianDesk Support Technician
Average salary$32,797$40,715
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $40,000Between $26,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-South San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-BNY Mellon
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between freelance computer technician and desk support technician education

There are a few differences between a freelance computer technician and a desk support technician in terms of educational background:

Freelance Computer TechnicianDesk Support Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorComputer ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaStanford University

Freelance computer technician vs desk support technician demographics

Here are the differences between freelance computer technicians' and desk support technicians' demographics:

Freelance Computer TechnicianDesk Support Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 88.4% Female, 11.6%Male, 82.6% Female, 17.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 11.7% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between freelance computer technician and desk support technician duties and responsibilities

Freelance computer technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the implementation of OS and security patches and software.
  • Recreate and manage company website, maintain regular updates, manage DNS servers, administrate e-mail and outlook exchange server.
  • Install, test, repair, and troubleshoot personal computers, laptops, networks, printers, and other peripheral devices.
  • Integrate all audio & visual equipment, CCTV, DVR, [] phone.
  • Work on virtualization environments including VMware ESXI and Linux KVM
  • Provide knowledge and technical support on software and POS equipment
  • Show more

Desk support technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Use multiple monitor setup display and remote desktop applications via VPN to access associate computers.
  • Utilize desktop deployment tools in order to deploy and maintain inventory for PCs, monitors, and printers.
  • Assist with network connectivity with PCs, laptops, and mobile phones including TCP/IP settings and internet connections.
  • Provide administrative support and troubleshooting for VPN users.
  • Maintain company networks security systems and infrastructure hardware including firewalls and switches and install software security and firmware patches or upgrades.
  • Show more

Freelance computer technician vs desk support technician skills

Common freelance computer technician skills
  • Troubleshoot, 10%
  • Laptop Computers, 7%
  • Printers, 6%
  • Virus Removal, 5%
  • Desktop Computers, 5%
  • Windows OS, 4%
Common desk support technician skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Technical Support, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Desk Side Support, 5%
  • Remote Troubleshooting, 4%

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