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The differences between junior systems engineers and desktop engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a junior systems engineer and a desktop engineer. Additionally, a desktop engineer has an average salary of $102,893, which is higher than the $61,565 average annual salary of a junior systems engineer.
The top three skills for a junior systems engineer include python, linux and DOD. The most important skills for a desktop engineer are customer service, SCCM, and troubleshoot.
| Junior Systems Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $61,565 | $102,893 |
| Hourly rate | $29.60 | $49.47 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 133,316 | 87,458 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A junior systems engineer is responsible for supporting the information technology department in maintaining the stability and efficiency of network servers and systems. Junior systems engineers assist in the configuration of the servers, as well as developing operational procedures to improve network infrastructure. They also resolve the end-users' technical issues through remote solutions, requiring them to have excellent knowledge of programming languages and navigation to identify the source of complexities. A junior systems engineer maintains resolution records for reference to avoid the reoccurrence of system failures and glitches.
A desktop engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and performance of computer systems across the organization to deliver high-performance on business operations and client specifications. Desktop engineers resolve computer desktop issues, including navigation and security complications that create delays in the operational process. They conduct regular maintenance with the computer systems, upgrade network infrastructure, and perform configuration to ensure smooth functionality and resolutions. A desktop engineer should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, recommending system solutions to avoid the reoccurrence of network issues and glitches.
Junior systems engineers and desktop engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Systems Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Average salary | $61,565 | $102,893 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $87,000 | Between $77,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Amd | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a junior systems engineer and a desktop engineer in terms of educational background:
| Junior Systems Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between junior systems engineers' and desktop engineers' demographics:
| Junior Systems Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.0% Female, 21.0% | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 13.3% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 13.6% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |