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The differences between service desk specialists and service 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 service desk specialist and a service support specialist. Additionally, a service desk specialist has an average salary of $48,332, which is higher than the $43,538 average annual salary of a service support specialist.
The top three skills for a service desk specialist include service desk, customer service and troubleshoot. The most important skills for a service support specialist are customer service, support services, and social work.
| Service Desk Specialist | Service Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $48,332 | $43,538 |
| Hourly rate | $23.24 | $20.93 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 100,806 | 125,209 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A service desk specialist is responsible for assisting the end-users' technical issues, resolving concerns usually through remote communication. Service desk specialists should have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, including system and server navigation, to identify the problem source and write resolutions for reference to avoid reoccurrence. They assist in developing strategic techniques to improve the system's performance by upgrading and updating its features. A service desk specialist records the observations of the database and develops other alternative resources to assess troubleshooting processes.
A service support specialist's role is to assist clients by addressing and resolving their inquiries, concerns, and complaints. Their responsibilities typically revolve around responding to calls and correspondence, troubleshooting, analyzing customer needs, identifying the root of issues, and providing the necessary corrective measures, all to ensure efficiency and client satisfaction. There are also instances when they must perform follow-up calls, offer products and services, process payments, and even manage accounts. Furthermore, as a service support analyst, it is essential to engage with clients in a friendly yet professional approach, in adherence to the company's policies and regulations.
Service desk specialists and service support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Service Desk Specialist | Service Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $48,332 | $43,538 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $65,000 | Between $26,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Capgemini | Cheniere Energy |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Technology |
There are a few differences between a service desk specialist and a service support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Service Desk Specialist | Service Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between service desk specialists' and service support specialists' demographics:
| Service Desk Specialist | Service Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.4% Female, 37.6% | Male, 39.2% Female, 60.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 11.4% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |