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The differences between information systems technicians and help desk analysts 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 help desk analyst takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an information systems technician has an average salary of $46,346, which is higher than the $37,318 average annual salary of a help desk analyst.
The top three skills for an information systems technician include customer service, troubleshoot and technical support. The most important skills for a help desk analyst are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.
| Information Systems Technician | Help Desk Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $46,346 | $37,318 |
| Hourly rate | $22.28 | $17.94 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 173,424 | 87,591 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| 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.
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.
Information systems technicians and help desk analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Information Systems Technician | Help Desk Analyst | |
| Average salary | $46,346 | $37,318 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $74,000 | Between $26,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rahway, NJ | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett | Pacific Investment Management Company LLC |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between an information systems technician and a help desk analyst in terms of educational background:
| Information Systems Technician | Help Desk Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Information Systems |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between information systems technicians' and help desk analysts' demographics:
| Information Systems Technician | Help Desk Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4% | Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2% |
| 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, 12.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |