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Service center analyst vs help desk representative

The differences between service center analysts and help desk representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a service center analyst and a help desk representative. Additionally, a service center analyst has an average salary of $46,686, which is higher than the $37,449 average annual salary of a help desk representative.

The top three skills for a service center analyst include customer service, computer system and data entry. The most important skills for a help desk representative are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.

Service center analyst vs help desk representative overview

Service Center AnalystHelp Desk Representative
Yearly salary$46,686$37,449
Hourly rate$22.45$18.00
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs62,29651,501
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a service center analyst do?

The job of a service center analyst is to help users resolve computer software and hardware problems. You will perform a variety of tasks that typically include responding to inquiries from users, assessing and troubleshooting IT equipment issues, and working closely with other IT staff to assist with other tasks that are outside your expertise or knowledge. In addition, you will train and support service desk personnel, keep employee and customer information confidential, and maintain records of hardware and software issues.

What does a help desk representative do?

A help desk representative mainly provides client support services through face-to-face interactions, aiming to resolve issues and concerns to ensure client satisfaction. Their responsibilities include answering inquiries, assisting clients in filling up forms, identifying their needs, providing detailed solutions, and referring them to other services as needed. Aside from face-to-face interactions, there are also instances where a help desk representative may provide services through calls and correspondence, troubleshoot problems, and provide step-by-step instructions according to the clients' needs.

Service center analyst vs help desk representative salary

Service center analysts and help desk representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Service Center AnalystHelp Desk Representative
Average salary$46,686$37,449
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $77,000Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAStow, OH
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew York
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncCity of Jacksonville
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between service center analyst and help desk representative education

There are a few differences between a service center analyst and a help desk representative in terms of educational background:

Service Center AnalystHelp Desk Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Service center analyst vs help desk representative demographics

Here are the differences between service center analysts' and help desk representatives' demographics:

Service Center AnalystHelp Desk Representative
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 62.2% Female, 37.8%Male, 52.0% Female, 48.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between service center analyst and help desk representative duties and responsibilities

Service center analyst example responsibilities.

  • Used Microsoft SMS to manage software distribution and lookup hardware and software information.
  • Manage customer expectations through use of negotiation, persuasion, diplomacy and clear communication.
  • Switch IP traffic globally between datacenters.
  • Perform and maintain daily backups for Novell and NT servers.
  • Execute daily operations of HP-Unix, Novell servers and GroupWise.
  • Hire as a computer operator with little UNIX experience, and advance to supervisory position.
  • Show more

Help desk representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage and troubleshooting of VOIP systems, setup of new IP phones and configuring PBX.
  • Collaborate with appropriate technology/policy department to troubleshoot end user problems.
  • Assist showrooms as part of support team with conversion from old POS PC system and registers to new ones.
  • Inspect kiosk software to investigate and troubleshoot machine that includes motor, sensors, controller boards, and moving parts.
  • Support technical POS terminals remotely.
  • Administer Production/Testing mainframe environments and run operational tasks.
  • Show more

Service center analyst vs help desk representative skills

Common service center analyst skills
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Computer System, 13%
  • Data Entry, 13%
  • COD, 9%
  • Problem Resolution, 7%
  • Delivery Appointments, 7%
Common help desk representative skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Troubleshoot, 8%
  • Technical Support, 7%
  • Phone Calls, 4%
  • Patients, 4%
  • Help Desk, 3%

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