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Network operations analyst vs desktop support analyst

The differences between network operations analysts and desktop support analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a network operations analyst and a desktop support analyst. Additionally, a network operations analyst has an average salary of $67,814, which is higher than the $48,674 average annual salary of a desktop support analyst.

The top three skills for a network operations analyst include network operations, troubleshoot and switches. The most important skills for a desktop support analyst are desktop support, customer service, and computer system.

Network operations analyst vs desktop support analyst overview

Network Operations AnalystDesktop Support Analyst
Yearly salary$67,814$48,674
Hourly rate$32.60$23.40
Growth rate5%10%
Number of jobs114,07599,621
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4342
Years of experience22

What does a network operations analyst do?

Network operations analysts are information technology (IT) professionals who provide technical analysis on the issues and outages occurring across the network system of an organization. These analysts must manage the organization's technical teams to provide timely response to all incidents, outages, and performance alerts while categorizing those issues. They are required to review performance for various systems and report any trends in hardware and application performance to their assist senior technical personnel. Network operations analysts must also notify their clients and third-party service providers about issues and remediation status.

What does a desktop support analyst do?

A desktop support analyst's role is to develop strategies and systems to improve and coordinate desktop support efforts. Their responsibilities revolve around testing and modifying existing networks and systems, providing corrective measures on issues and concerns, performing regular inspections, troubleshooting, and maintaining inventories on software, hardware, and other applications. Furthermore, as a desktop support analyst, it is essential to respond to calls and correspondence from clients, all while adhering to the policies and regulations of the company.

Network operations analyst vs desktop support analyst salary

Network operations analysts and desktop support analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Network Operations AnalystDesktop Support Analyst
Average salary$67,814$48,674
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $91,000Between $36,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyBP America IncCambridge Associates
Best paying industryUtilitiesFinance

Differences between network operations analyst and desktop support analyst education

There are a few differences between a network operations analyst and a desktop support analyst in terms of educational background:

Network Operations AnalystDesktop Support Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorBusinessComputer Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Network operations analyst vs desktop support analyst demographics

Here are the differences between network operations analysts' and desktop support analysts' demographics:

Network Operations AnalystDesktop Support Analyst
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 80.6% Female, 19.4%Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.5% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 12.3% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between network operations analyst and desktop support analyst duties and responsibilities

Network operations analyst example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage all vendor quotes per SLA to meet business needs.
  • Manage site to site VPN connectivity and configuration as well as DMZ configuration.
  • Manage technicians to perform circuit upgrades on Cisco routers and upgrades to voice over IP (VOIP).
  • Select to train on a new customer database system to facilitate managing client telecommunication data.
  • Monitor and perform root cause analysis on issues with corporate loop, distribution switches, and Internet routers.
  • Maintain the availability and support of UNIX, NT WIN2000 and WIN2003, and LINUX server operating systems.
  • Show more

Desktop support analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage LAN infrastructure configuring and maintaining all network hardware devices.
  • Provide hardware and software support, coordinate and implement high volume workstation deployments, troubleshoot and administrate IEC production workstations.
  • Configure several software applications for use in CITRIX XenApp.
  • Maintain current patch levels for desktop OS and applications issues to isolate problem, then resolve or escalate as needed.
  • Establish connections through VPN, SSLVPN, and homegrown applications for remote access to network resources on laptops & mobile devices.
  • Complete Citrix training for installation and maintenance of computer servers.
  • Show more

Network operations analyst vs desktop support analyst skills

Common network operations analyst skills
  • Network Operations, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%
  • Switches, 4%
  • Linux, 4%
  • Remedy, 4%
  • Routers, 4%
Common desktop support analyst skills
  • Desktop Support, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Computer System, 8%
  • Software Issues, 7%
  • Technical Problems, 6%
  • Troubleshoot, 5%

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