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The differences between help desk analysts and 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 a technician. Additionally, a technician has an average salary of $38,045, 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 a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Help Desk Analyst | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $37,318 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $17.94 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 87,591 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| 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.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Help desk analysts and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Help Desk Analyst | Technician | |
| Average salary | $37,318 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $52,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Pacific Investment Management Company LLC | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Government | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a help desk analyst and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Help Desk Analyst | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Computer Information Systems | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | - |
Here are the differences between help desk analysts' and technicians' demographics:
| Help Desk Analyst | Technician | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 2% |