What Do Desktop Support Technicians Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for desktop support technicians?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what desktop support technicians do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Desktop Support Technicians Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about desktop support technicians by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Desktop Support Technicians provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.
Popular Job Titles For Desktop Support Technicians
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- IT Specialists
- Desktop Support Technicians
- IT Support Specialists
- Help Desk Technicians
- Help Desk Analysts
- Technical Support Specialists
- IT Support Technicians
- Help Desk Specialists
- Technical Support Engineers
- Service Desk Analysts
- Desktop Support Managers
- Service Desk Technicians
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for desktop support technicians can be found.
Best Industries for Desktop Support Technicians
Desktop Support Technicians Jobs By Industry
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 21.5%
- Education and Hospitals (Local Government): 5.8%
- Employment Services: 4.9%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 4.8%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 4%
- Software Publishers: 4%
- Other: 55%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of desktop support technicians can be found working in the Computer Systems Design and Related Services sector. In 2023, about 21.5% of all jobs for desktop support technicians were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Education and Hospitals (Local Government) (5.8%), Employment Services (4.9%), Management of Companies and Enterprises (4.8%), Education and Hospitals (State Government) (4%) and Software Publishers (4%).
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Degree Options for Desktop Support Technicians
Learn to translate business requirements into robust yet functional software applications and database designs to help businesses not only run but thrive, and jump start your career as a user support specialist, computer system analyst, or software developer.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Equip yourself for a role as an IT, network or help desk specialist with fundamental technology skills, including medium-scale network administration, small website and application development, and database design and querying.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Go beyond basic programming and develop the technical skills necessary to apply, design, and implement software systems.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Bridge the gap between business and technology and develop the interpersonal skills to become an IT liaison in your organization.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Harness the power of data by creating data-driven strategies and communicating data insights with a B.S. Information Systems-Analytics Focus.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Develop your ability to lead, communicate and make strategic decisions that impact projects and processes with a B.S. Information Systems-Business Analysis & Project Management Focus
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Build technical savvy and business acumen that bridges the gap between business and technology with a B.S. Information Systems with a Business Information Systems focus.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Get the knowledge to manage healthcare data, navigate regulations and inform ethical decision-making with a B.S. Information Systems-Healthcare Information Systems Focus
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Play a vital role in any business environment by designing and implementing mission-critical infrastructure, security, and servers.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Franklin’s transfer-friendly online B.S. Graphic Design & UX provides a comprehensive understanding of user needs that enables you to create seamless human-centered experiences for individuals interacting with products and services.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Develop the advanced technical skills needed to turn complex programming specifications into well-designed computer programs.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Deliver high-quality software that helps companies and organizations maintain data security and integrity with Franklin’s 20-month online M.S. in Computer Science with a focus in Cybersecurity.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 20
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in Data Analytics 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in Healthcare 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in IT Leadership 100% online in as few as 16 months.
- Class Type: Face-to-face, Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Certificates & Microcredentials for Desktop Support Technicians
Start your cloud computing journey with AWS certificate courses for beginners and keep up with the fast pace of innovation.
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 1-2 months
- Cost: $35/month
This DeepLearning AI certificate course lets you dive into the cutting-edge world of AI specialization, machine learning and data-driven solutions.
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 4-5 months
- Cost: $35/month
In-demand programmers know Git. You can, too, with GitHub certificate courses that put you among the ranks of other Git certification-ready development pros.
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 3-4 months
- Cost: $35/month
Fast track your IT career with the Google IT support training and certificate that helps you learn about network protocols, operating systems, and solving problems using code.
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 4-5 months
- Cost: $35/month
Put your creativity to work with these Google UX design courses that equip you to build and test user-centered solutions and to use Google Analytics to improve usability.
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 4-5 months
- Cost: $35/month
Develop practical skills in Python and IBM applied AI thanks to deep learning courses that show you how to design, build and deploy AI-powered apps.
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 4-5 months
- Cost: $35/month
Build your cloud developer portfolio with this hands-on IBM full stack cloud developer certificate course that uses the latest tools and technologies to manage full stack cloud native apps.
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 5-6 months
- Cost: $35/month
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 1-2 months
- Cost: $35/month
What Do Desktop Support Technicians Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what desktop support technicians do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work desktop support technicians do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that desktop support technicians tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for desktop support technicians, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Desktop Support Technicians
Based on 274,519 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Desktop Support Technicians
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Support | 84,195 | 31% |
| Help Desk Support | 79,700 | 29% |
| Operating Systems | 60,622 | 22% |
| Active Directory | 47,418 | 17% |
| Computer Science | 46,493 | 17% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Desktop Support Technicians
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) | 144,628 | 53% |
| Communication | 124,491 | 45% |
| Customer Service | 117,729 | 43% |
| Problem Solving | 83,190 | 30% |
| Management | 80,547 | 29% |
Based on 274,519 job postings related to desktop support technicians, technical support was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 31% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for help desk support, operating systems, active directory, computer science and peripheral devices were also highly sought.
As for common skills, troubleshooting (problem solving) was the most desired skill found in job postings for desktop support technicians, followed by communication, customer service, problem solving, management and operations.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Support | 84,195 | 31% |
| Help Desk Support | 79,700 | 29% |
| Operating Systems | 60,622 | 22% |
| Active Directory | 47,418 | 17% |
| Computer Science | 46,493 | 17% |
| Peripheral Devices | 38,429 | 14% |
| Computer Hardware | 38,366 | 14% |
| Desktop Support | 35,958 | 13% |
| Issue Tracking | 31,901 | 12% |
| Microsoft Office 365 | 27,515 | 10% |
| Project Management | 25,618 | 9% |
| Microsoft Windows 10 | 24,988 | 9% |
| Customer Support | 24,247 | 9% |
| ServiceNow | 23,273 | 8% |
| Local Area Networks | 21,854 | 8% |
| Information Systems | 19,343 | 7% |
| Virtual Private Networks (VPN) | 18,500 | 7% |
| IT Service Management | 18,336 | 7% |
| Network Troubleshooting | 18,084 | 7% |
| End-User Training And Support | 17,126 | 6% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) | 144,628 | 53% |
| Communication | 124,491 | 45% |
| Customer Service | 117,729 | 43% |
| Problem Solving | 83,190 | 30% |
| Management | 80,547 | 29% |
| Operations | 56,852 | 21% |
| Information Technology | 55,582 | 20% |
| Microsoft Office | 52,239 | 19% |
| Detail Oriented | 44,666 | 16% |
| Writing | 41,087 | 15% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 33,229 | 12% |
| Research | 33,151 | 12% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 32,197 | 12% |
| Prioritization | 29,759 | 11% |
| Leadership | 29,363 | 11% |
| Self-Motivation | 29,270 | 11% |
| Multitasking | 28,107 | 10% |
| Planning | 27,986 | 10% |
| Time Management | 25,227 | 9% |
| Microsoft Excel | 24,473 | 9% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Desktop Support Technicians
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| IT Specialists | 25,042 | 11.8% |
| Desktop Support Technicians | 20,445 | 9.7% |
| IT Support Specialists | 16,981 | 8% |
| Help Desk Technicians | 18,892 | 8.9% |
| Help Desk Analysts | 15,486 | 7.3% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was it specialists, with 9,203 unique job postings. Desktop support technicians were second, with 7,778 postings, followed by it support specialists, help desk technicians and help desk analysts.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to desktop support technicians.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| IT Specialists | 25,042 | 11.8% |
| Desktop Support Technicians | 20,445 | 9.7% |
| IT Support Specialists | 16,981 | 8% |
| Help Desk Technicians | 18,892 | 8.9% |
| Help Desk Analysts | 15,486 | 7.3% |
| Technical Support Specialists | 15,328 | 7.2% |
| IT Support Technicians | 13,411 | 6.3% |
| Help Desk Specialists | 11,570 | 5.5% |
| Technical Support Engineers | 7,498 | 3.5% |
| Service Desk Analysts | 7,911 | 3.7% |
| Desktop Support Managers | 6,251 | 3% |
| Service Desk Technicians | 7,525 | 3.6% |
| IT Help Desk Technicians | 7,138 | 3.4% |
| Technical Support Analysts | 6,353 | 3% |
| IT Technicians | 6,005 | 2.8% |
| Computer Technicians | 6,147 | 2.9% |
| Desktop Support Analysts | 4,704 | 2.2% |
| IT Support Analysts | 5,058 | 2.4% |
| Application Support Analysts | 4,881 | 2.3% |
| Desktop Support Specialists | 5,049 | 2.4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for desktop support technicians? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for desktop support technicians.
How much do desktop support technicians make?
Desktop Support Technicians: How do you become one?
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