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Desktop Support Tech II Salary in the United States

How much does a Desktop Support Tech II make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Desktop Support Tech II in the United States is $60,910 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Desktop Support Tech II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,327
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,270 to $68,980
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,135
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View as table View as graph 25% $55,270 10% $50,135 90% $76,327 75% $68,980 $60,910 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Desktop Support Tech II Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $68,980 $5,748 $1,327 $33
Average $60,910 $5,076 $1,171 $29
25th Percentile $55,270 $4,606 $1,063 $27
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Key Factors That Influence Desktop Support Tech II Salaries

A Desktop Support Tech II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Desktop Support Tech Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Desktop Support Tech II's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Computer Technician - Entry (0-1 years): $50,765
  • Desktop Support Tech II (1-3 years): $60,905
  • Computer Technician -Senior (3-5 years): $71,544
  • Desktop Support Manager (5+ years): $118,202
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Computer Technician - Entry0-1 years$50,765
Desktop Support Tech II1-3 years$60,905
Computer Technician -Senior3-5 years$71,544
Desktop Support Manager5+ years$118,202
$50,765 Computer ...
$60,905 Desktop S...
$71,544 Computer ...
$118,202 Desktop S...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Desktop Support Tech IIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $76,820
  • San Francisco: $75,980
  • Oakland: $74,380

What Skills Can Increase a Desktop Support Tech II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 10.88% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Field Service (Mentioned in 2.9% Job Postings): Managing and optimizing operations to respond to and address customer requests at off-site locations or client sites.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.48% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 10.88%
Field Service 2.9%
Microsoft Office 2.48%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Desktop Support Tech II's salary.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Presentation
$63,956
5%
Collaboration
$63,346
4%
Initiative
$63,346
4%
Leadership
$63,346
4%
Innovation
$62,737
3%
Insight
$62,737
3%
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Desktop Support Tech II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Desktop Support Tech II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,127. While startup companies pay approximate $57,615.

Desktop Support Tech II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$57,615
Growth Stage51~500$60,937
Established501~5000$65,790
Enterprise5000+$68,127

Desktop Support Tech II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Desktop Support Tech II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Desktop Support Tech positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Desktop Support Tech II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Desktop Support Tech II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$82,228$40.035%
Financial Services$79,183$38.030%
Biotechnology$73,092$35.020%
Internet$73,092$35.020%
Pharmaceuticals$70,046$34.015%

How Education impacts a Desktop Support Tech II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Desktop Support Tech IIs enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Desktop Support Tech II with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $57,631 and $61,199).

Desktop Support Tech II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Desktop Support Tech II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 33.3%
Associates 34.7%
Bachelors 27.3%
Masters 2.9%
Doctorate 0.4%
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Desktop Support Tech II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Desktop Support Tech II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Desktop Support Tech II Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Desktop Support Tech II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Computer Technician -Senior role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $71,600 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Desktop Support Tech II

Salaries for a Desktop Support Tech II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $53,595 in 2023 to around $51,915 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Desktop Support Tech II salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Desktop Support Tech II Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$53,595
2024
$52,406
2025
$51,915
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $53,595
2024 $52,406
2025 $51,915
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Desktop Support Tech II

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Desktop Support Tech II

Here are companies hiring for Desktop Support Tech II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Desktop Support Tech II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Desktop Support Tech II?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Desktop Support Tech II roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

2. What is the salary of desktop support L3?

The salary for a Desktop Support Tech L3 ranges from ₹54,670 to ₹68,010 annually, with a mid-range salary of ₹60,920. These figures reflect the compensation for this role based on current data.

3. Is computer support a good job?

Computer support can be a rewarding career, offering competitive salaries. For Desktop Support Technicians, salaries range from $54,670 to $68,010, with a median of $60,920. This reflects a solid earning potential in the IT field, contributing to a positive job outlook for computer support roles.

4. Is help desk an IT job?

Yes, working at a service desk or help desk is indeed an IT job. It serves as a crucial entry point for IT professionals, offering opportunities to develop technical skills and customer service experience. Salaries for Desktop Support Technicians typically range from $54,670 to $68,010, with a mid-range salary of about $60,920.

5. How much does a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician make?

A Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician typically earns between $54,670 and $68,010 annually, with a median salary of around $60,920. In California, the average hourly pay for an IT Desktop Support Technician is approximately $24.01, which translates to an annual salary range that aligns with these figures.

6. How much do help desk managers make in the US?

As of now, the salary range for a Desktop Support Technician in the United States is between $54,670 and $68,010 annually, with a mid-salary of $60,920. This translates to approximately $26.25 to $32.69 per hour, or about $1,055 to $1,308 per week.

7. What is the salary of an L2 desktop support engineer?

The salary for a Desktop Support Engineer L2 typically ranges from ₹54,670 to ₹68,010 annually. The average salary is around ₹60,920. This translates to approximately ₹4,556 to ₹5,668 per month, with an average monthly salary of about ₹5,077.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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