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The differences between implementation specialists and help desk specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an implementation specialist and a help desk specialist. Additionally, an implementation specialist has an average salary of $56,545, which is higher than the $51,065 average annual salary of a help desk specialist.
The top three skills for an implementation specialist include client expectations, customer service and business processes. The most important skills for a help desk specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Implementation Specialist | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $56,545 | $51,065 |
| Hourly rate | $27.19 | $24.55 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 50,975 | 75,004 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
As the name entails, implementation specialists perform tasks related to the implementation of computer software and hardware, technical systems, or solutions. They are responsible for identifying clients' needs and determining how they will use the software or systems that they have acquired. They may also assist clients in setting up their equipment and perform additional tasks such as importing client data, creating customized reports, and modifying metrics. There are certain skills and qualifications to be considered to apply for this role, which includes a bachelor's degree in business, in-depth technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills.
The primary role of help desk specialists is to maintain relationships between the company and its customers. Their duties and responsibilities include responding to guests' queries, providing technical computer support, and maintaining computer systems' performance. Help desk specialists are also responsible for following up with customers to resolve issues and train computer users. There are several requirements to be qualified for this position, which include having relevant customer service experience, problem-solving and analytical skills, and the ability to prioritize vital tasks.
Implementation specialists and help desk specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Implementation Specialist | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Average salary | $56,545 | $51,065 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $87,000 | Between $35,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Schulte Roth & Zabel | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an implementation specialist and a help desk specialist in terms of educational background:
| Implementation Specialist | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between implementation specialists' and help desk specialists' demographics:
| Implementation Specialist | Help Desk Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7% | Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 10.7% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 11.6% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |