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Service center analyst vs help desk specialist

The differences between service center analysts and help desk 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 service center analyst and a help desk specialist. Additionally, a help desk specialist has an average salary of $51,065, which is higher than the $46,686 average annual salary of a service center analyst.

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 specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and technical support.

Service center analyst vs help desk specialist overview

Service Center AnalystHelp Desk Specialist
Yearly salary$46,686$51,065
Hourly rate$22.45$24.55
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs62,29675,004
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
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 specialist do?

The primary role of help desk specialists is to maintain relationships between the company and its customers. Their duties and responsibilities include responding to guests' queries, providing technical computer support, and maintaining computer systems' performance. Help desk specialists are also responsible for following up with customers to resolve issues and train computer users. There are several requirements to be qualified for this position, which include having relevant customer service experience, problem-solving and analytical skills, and the ability to prioritize vital tasks.

Service center analyst vs help desk specialist salary

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

Service Center AnalystHelp Desk Specialist
Average salary$46,686$51,065
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $77,000Between $35,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyMcKinsey & Company IncSchulte Roth & Zabel
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between service center analyst and help desk specialist education

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

Service Center AnalystHelp Desk Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessComputer Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Service center analyst vs help desk specialist demographics

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

Service Center AnalystHelp Desk Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 62.2% Female, 37.8%Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6%
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, 12.3% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 11.6% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between service center analyst and help desk specialist 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 specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage network software deployment, imaging/backup and unattend OS installations
  • Develop, implement, and support customized manage VPN solutions for customers.
  • Work as tier II/III technical support representative helping customers troubleshoot hardware/software problems in high volume call center.
  • Support CITRIX by resolving connectivity issues when problems are reported.
  • Assist clients with Cisco VoIP, or Cisco AnyConnect troubleshooting, and escalation to higher tiers, as necessary.
  • Repair PCs and printers install software supervise interns
  • Show more

Service center analyst vs help desk specialist 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 specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Troubleshoot, 8%
  • Technical Support, 6%
  • Desk Support, 6%
  • Phone Calls, 5%
  • Client Facing, 4%

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