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The differences between information systems technicians and desktop support technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an information systems technician, becoming a desktop support technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an information systems technician has an average salary of $46,346, which is higher than the $41,792 average annual salary of a desktop support technician.
The top three skills for an information systems technician include customer service, troubleshoot and technical support. The most important skills for a desktop support technician are customer service, desktop support, and troubleshoot.
| Information Systems Technician | Desktop Support Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $46,346 | $41,792 |
| Hourly rate | $22.28 | $20.09 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 173,424 | 108,944 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 1 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
An information systems technician is responsible for maintaining the efficiency of various network systems' performance. Information systems technicians provide network troubleshooting, upgrading systems for optimization, maintaining the security of databases, managing the interaction of networks, and inspecting and troubleshooting system inconsistencies. Additional duties include creating network designs based on clients' specifications, configuring software and hardware applications, and creating reports on system issues and resolutions. An information systems technician must have excellent knowledge of information systems procedures, programming languages, detecting malfunctions, and making resolutions promptly.
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.
Information systems technicians and desktop support technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Systems Technician | Desktop Support Technician | |
| Average salary | $46,346 | $41,792 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $74,000 | Between $32,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rahway, NJ | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett | NTT Data International L.L.C. |
| Best paying industry | Government | Finance |
There are a few differences between an information systems technician and a desktop support technician in terms of educational background:
| Information Systems Technician | Desktop Support Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Information Systems |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between information systems technicians' and desktop support technicians' demographics:
| Information Systems Technician | Desktop Support Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4% | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 11.7% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |