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Support staff vs support representative

The differences between desk clerks supervisors and support representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a support staff, becoming a support representative takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a support representative has an average salary of $33,372, which is higher than the $31,772 average annual salary of a support staff.

The top three skills for a support staff include customer service, developmental disabilities and mental health. The most important skills for a support representative are patients, customer service, and troubleshoot.

Support staff vs support representative overview

Support StaffSupport Representative
Yearly salary$31,772$33,372
Hourly rate$15.28$16.04
Growth rate36%-4%
Number of jobs161,915246,710
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4740
Years of experience612

What does a support staff do?

School support staff provide specialized instructional and student support while utilizing school facilities. They often include diverse staff members whose main role is to ensure that students learn in a supportive and safe learning environment. It is also their duty to enhance school climate by promoting the involvement of parent and family in education as well as to encourage trusting, positive student relationships. They should inhibit positive behavior and send uplifting messages to students as they often connect with them throughout the day.

What does a support representative do?

The primary job of technical support representatives is to answer incoming calls and resolve customer problems or complaints related to computer hardware and software. They typically work in team environments and report directly to the technical department manager. Aside from answering phone calls, they also maintain the solutions database and respond to online chat requests and technical support emails. A successful technical support representative should have an in-depth knowledge of diagnosing and fixing computer problems, customer service skills, and problem-solving skills.

Support staff vs support representative salary

Desk clerks supervisors and support representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Support StaffSupport Representative
Average salary$31,772$33,372
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $40,000Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASanta Barbara, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkAlaska
Best paying companyLakeland ElectricAccenture
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between support staff and support representative education

There are a few differences between a support staff and a support representative in terms of educational background:

Support StaffSupport Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeDuke University-

Support staff vs support representative demographics

Here are the differences between desk clerks supervisors' and support representatives' demographics:

Support StaffSupport Representative
Average age4740
Gender ratioMale, 31.2% Female, 68.8%Male, 44.4% Female, 55.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 6.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%7%

Differences between support staff and support representative duties and responsibilities

Support staff example responsibilities.

  • Manage SharePoint inventory repository and assign access levels to new hires as needed.
  • Provide companionship to the consumer.
  • Tutor students in various science courses, English and GED prep classes.
  • Maintain a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment which fosters growth and rehabilitation.
  • Work with students at various levels of mathematics knowledge within the same teaching environment.
  • Work with students who have graduated from the developmental mathematics program on more advance mathematics classes.
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Support representative example responsibilities.

  • Educate veterans and the college community on veteran's benefits and academic requirements need to accomplish academic goals.
  • Follow approved patient care algorithms to ensure patients receive quality care post surgically, while abiding by HIPAA regulations.
  • Maintain personal patient information while following HIPAA regulations.
  • Document department procedures; some convert into PowerPoint presentations.
  • Follow all current Medicare, Medicaid regulations and requirements to ensure continual compliance.
  • Provide hospital patients with assistance in obtaining proper medical coverage to cover medical expenses.
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Support staff vs support representative skills

Common support staff skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 7%
  • Mental Health, 6%
  • Meal Preparation, 6%
  • Direct Care, 6%
  • Home Maintenance, 6%
Common support representative skills
  • Patients, 10%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Troubleshoot, 8%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Technical Support, 7%
  • Phone Calls, 6%

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