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Network systems specialist vs desktop support specialist

The differences between network systems specialists and desktop support specialists 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 systems specialist and a desktop support specialist. Additionally, a network systems specialist has an average salary of $85,872, which is higher than the $44,962 average annual salary of a desktop support specialist.

The top three skills for a network systems specialist include switches, network systems and routers. The most important skills for a desktop support specialist are customer service, desktop support, and troubleshoot.

Network systems specialist vs desktop support specialist overview

Network Systems SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Yearly salary$85,872$44,962
Hourly rate$41.28$21.62
Growth rate5%10%
Number of jobs122,431102,191
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4342
Years of experience22

Network systems specialist vs desktop support specialist salary

Network systems specialists and desktop support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Network Systems SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Average salary$85,872$44,962
Salary rangeBetween $59,000 And $123,000Between $33,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CityBerkeley, NJBoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyMassachusetts
Best paying companyConexantCornerstone Research
Best paying industryManufacturingFinance

Differences between network systems specialist and desktop support specialist education

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

Network Systems SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Network systems specialist vs desktop support specialist demographics

Here are the differences between network systems specialists' and desktop support specialists' demographics:

Network Systems SpecialistDesktop Support Specialist
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 89.5% Female, 10.5%Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.2% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 12.3% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%11%

Differences between network systems specialist and desktop support specialist duties and responsibilities

Network systems specialist example responsibilities.

  • Draft and manage complete install configurations to be utilize for all distribute DNS slave clusters at remote data centers.
  • Install and manage PBX voice network & secure video-teleconferencing services as necessary using military-grade & commercial VoIP hardware and software.
  • Manage firewalls, endpoint encryption and other communications and systems security devices for large scale networks across distinct complicate infrastructure.
  • Provide PC and LAN support including all hardware and software issues as well as any other electronic systems support.
  • Command line knowledge on Cisco switches and routers for the purpose of troubleshooting and integration into new and existing networks.
  • Convert physical workstations and servers into a virtual infrastructure utilizing VMware ESXi.
  • Show more

Desktop support specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage computer assets utilizing Symantec Altiris.
  • Manage schedule software/Security patch upgrades via SCCM.
  • Manage backups, replications and disaster recovery plans of company mission critical servers and database files to ensure redundancy.
  • Deploy McAfee anti-virus tools across enterprise.
  • Automate fixes for common errors using Powershell and batch scripting.
  • Document software processes and core conversion software installations for VDI.
  • Show more

Network systems specialist vs desktop support specialist skills

Common network systems specialist skills
  • Switches, 8%
  • Network Systems, 6%
  • Routers, 5%
  • VMware, 5%
  • Network Hardware, 5%
  • Lan Wan, 4%
Common desktop support specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Desktop Support, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 7%
  • PC, 6%
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • SCCM, 3%

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