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Network support administrator vs desktop support consultant

The differences between network support administrators and desktop support consultants 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 support administrator and a desktop support consultant. Additionally, a network support administrator has an average salary of $62,851, which is higher than the $46,733 average annual salary of a desktop support consultant.

The top three skills for a network support administrator include windows server, switches and PC. The most important skills for a desktop support consultant are desktop support, customer service, and troubleshoot.

Network support administrator vs desktop support consultant overview

Network Support AdministratorDesktop Support Consultant
Yearly salary$62,851$46,733
Hourly rate$30.22$22.47
Growth rate5%10%
Number of jobs164,554100,650
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4342
Years of experience22

Network support administrator vs desktop support consultant salary

Network support administrators and desktop support consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Network Support AdministratorDesktop Support Consultant
Average salary$62,851$46,733
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $92,000Between $33,000 And $64,000
Highest paying CitySanta Clara, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyHologicNTT Data International L.L.C.
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between network support administrator and desktop support consultant education

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

Network Support AdministratorDesktop Support Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Network support administrator vs desktop support consultant demographics

Here are the differences between network support administrators' and desktop support consultants' demographics:

Network Support AdministratorDesktop Support Consultant
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 85.8% Female, 14.2%Male, 85.0% Female, 15.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.1% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 13.5% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between network support administrator and desktop support consultant duties and responsibilities

Network support administrator example responsibilities.

  • Manage VoIP and Cisco phone systems and set up Cisco lab for Cisco/CCNA program.
  • Manage cloud base hosting for clients including client's network DNS, office 365 and Google Apps.
  • Manage OS and hardware installations and configurations.
  • Support DNS and DHCP configuration for corporate and remote locations.
  • Monitor VMWare virtual machine's performance and disaster recovery replication jobs to Colo.
  • Perform dual functions within the company: PC and network support for internal staff and ISP support for external customer base.
  • Show more

Desktop support consultant example responsibilities.

  • Install and manage several networking components including routers, switches, routing switches, wireless access points, and hubs.
  • Manage update deployment and verify policy adherence utilizing SCCM.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Perform data backup, virus scanning, and OS updating procedures.
  • Create and support user accounts for VOIP network utilizing Cisco IP phones.
  • Configure all applications, changes, and deletions of MITEL VOIP systems.
  • Show more

Network support administrator vs desktop support consultant skills

Common network support administrator skills
  • Windows Server, 9%
  • Switches, 6%
  • PC, 6%
  • Desktop Support, 5%
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • Network Printers, 4%
Common desktop support consultant skills
  • Desktop Support, 12%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Troubleshoot, 8%
  • PC, 6%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • OS, 4%

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