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The differences between systems 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 systems engineer and a desktop engineer. Additionally, a desktop engineer has an average salary of $102,893, which is higher than the $82,834 average annual salary of a systems engineer.
The top three skills for a systems engineer include python, linux and C++. The most important skills for a desktop engineer are customer service, SCCM, and troubleshoot.
| Systems Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $82,834 | $102,893 |
| Hourly rate | $39.82 | $49.47 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 145,936 | 87,458 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Systems engineers are responsible for creating and overseeing systems related to the overall operations of the organization. They are in charge of assessing the organization's needs in terms of systems and creating plans to address these needs. These systems are usually related to the production or manufacturing of company products. Systems engineers create end-to-end processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They make sure that the processes they put in place adhere to safety and security policies and guidelines. They also do routine checks and continuously find ways to further improve production and other systems.
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.
Systems engineers and desktop engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Systems Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Average salary | $82,834 | $102,893 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $109,000 | Between $77,000 And $136,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | The Citadel | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a systems engineer and a desktop engineer in terms of educational background:
| Systems Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between systems engineers' and desktop engineers' demographics:
| Systems Engineer | Desktop Engineer | |
| Average age | 39 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.1% Female, 13.9% | Male, 88.7% Female, 11.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 29.7% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 8% | 11% |