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The differences between server 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 server engineer and a desktop engineer. Additionally, a server engineer has an average salary of $105,940, which is higher than the $102,893 average annual salary of a desktop engineer.
The top three skills for a server engineer include windows server, powershell and linux. The most important skills for a desktop engineer are customer service, SCCM, and troubleshoot.
| Server Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $105,940 | $102,893 |
| Hourly rate | $50.93 | $49.47 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 142,173 | 87,458 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A server engineer specializes in designing and developing server structures in a company, ensuring accuracy and client satisfaction. They typically work together with technicians and specialists to analyze and assess existing systems to identify their strengths and weaknesses, implement solutions in problem areas, provide technical support, and develop strategies to optimize operations. Furthermore, as a server engineer, they are also in charge of installing and performing regular maintenance checks on servers, coordinating corrective measures in a prompt and efficient manner.
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.
Server engineers and desktop engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Server Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Average salary | $105,940 | $102,893 |
| Salary range | Between $76,000 And $146,000 | Between $77,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Telecommunication | Finance |
There are a few differences between a server engineer and a desktop engineer in terms of educational background:
| Server Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between server engineers' and desktop engineers' demographics:
| Server Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 12.1% White, 62.1% 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% |