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The differences between help desk analysts and information technology 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 help desk analyst and an information technology technician. Additionally, an information technology technician has an average salary of $49,031, which is higher than the $37,318 average annual salary of a help desk analyst.
The top three skills for a help desk analyst include customer service, troubleshoot and technical support. The most important skills for an information technology technician are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Help Desk Analyst | Information Technology Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $37,318 | $49,031 |
| Hourly rate | $17.94 | $23.57 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 87,591 | 118,881 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Help Desk Analysts generally provide technical support by assisting customers with their system issues. These analysts are expected to be highly knowledgeable about application processes and basic troubleshooting. Help Desk Analysts usually communicate with end-users through phone calls or e-mail and are required to attend on customers technical issues promptly. Depending on the expertise, the Help Desk Analysts are often categorized to support levels wherein the most complex issues are often handle by the highest tier. The Help Desk Analysts must have critical-thinking skills on solving network problems and document specific concerns and progress.
An information technology technician, also known as an IT technician, is responsible for ensuring that all computer systems in a company or organization are running smoothly and efficiently. Their duties primarily revolve around installing and maintaining systems, including software and hardware, and resolving any issues. They also provide technical support such as troubleshooting, navigation, and even system upgrades. Furthermore, an information technology technician can choose whether to work for a company or independently.
Help desk analysts and information technology technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Help Desk Analyst | Information Technology Technician | |
| Average salary | $37,318 | $49,031 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $52,000 | Between $28,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Pacific Investment Management Company LLC | Cravath |
| Best paying industry | Government | Finance |
There are a few differences between a help desk analyst and an information technology technician in terms of educational background:
| Help Desk Analyst | Information Technology Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Computer Information Systems | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between help desk analysts' and information technology technicians' demographics:
| Help Desk Analyst | Information Technology Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2% | Male, 84.8% Female, 15.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 11.8% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |