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Desktop Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Desktop Support Technician

Santa Monica, CA

$22.75 - $29/hr

Desktop Support TechnicianThis position will operate in a professional services environment, where ... Bachelor's Degree, preferably in an IT related fieldMobile device management and iPhoneEncryption ...

Desktop Support Technician

Santa Monica, CA

$22.75 - $29/hr

Desktop Support TechnicianThis position will operate in a professional services environment, where ... Bachelor's Degree, preferably in an IT related fieldMobile device management and iPhoneEncryption ...

The Manager of Desktop Engineering is a hands-on technical position, responsible for the delivery, reliability, and ongoing improvement of the firm's end user computing platforms. This role owns ...

The Manager of Desktop Engineering is a hands-on technical position, responsible for the delivery, reliability, and ongoing improvement of the firm's end user computing platforms. This role owns ...

The Manager of Desktop Engineering is a hands-on technical position, responsible for the delivery, reliability, and ongoing improvement of the firm's end user computing platforms. This role owns ...

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Showing results 1-20

Desktop Manager information

See California salary details

$20.7K

$82.5K

$124.3K

How much do desktop manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for desktop manager in California is $82,512.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,600.00 and $94,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a desktop manager?

A Desktop Manager is an IT professional responsible for overseeing and maintaining an organization’s desktop computing environment. They manage desktop hardware and software, ensure systems are up-to-date and secure, and provide technical support to end users. Desktop Managers often lead a team of IT technicians, coordinate the deployment of new systems or upgrades, and develop policies for device management and security. Their role is crucial in making sure employees have reliable and efficient access to the computer resources they need to perform their jobs.

What are some typical challenges a desktop manager faces when overseeing an IT support team?

Desktop Managers often encounter challenges such as balancing quick response times with high-quality support, managing diverse hardware and software environments, and ensuring consistent application of security policies. They must also prioritize and delegate tasks effectively to their team, especially during periods of high demand or when multiple incidents occur simultaneously. Building strong communication between IT and end users is essential for resolving issues efficiently and maintaining satisfaction across the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a desktop manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Desktop Manager, you need expertise in IT infrastructure, desktop support, and team management, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in IT or a related field. Familiarity with enterprise systems like Microsoft Endpoint Manager, Active Directory, and certifications such as CompTIA A+ or Microsoft Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate are highly valued. Strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills distinguish high-performing Desktop Managers. These abilities ensure efficient desktop operations, high user satisfaction, and effective resolution of technical issues within organizations.

What is the difference between Desktop Manager vs Help Desk Technician?

AspectDesktop ManagerHelp Desk Technician
CredentialsIT certifications (e.g., CompTIA A+, Network+), management experienceBasic IT certifications, technical support training
Work EnvironmentOversees IT teams, manages desktop support operationsProvides frontline technical support to end-users
Employer & IndustryCorporate IT departments, managed service providersHelp desks, IT support centers, corporate environments

Desktop Managers focus on overseeing desktop support teams and managing IT infrastructure, while Help Desk Technicians handle direct technical support for end-users. Both roles require IT certifications, but Desktop Managers typically have more management experience and responsibilities.

Is desktop support a good entry level job?

Desktop support is often considered a suitable entry-level job because it provides foundational IT skills, such as troubleshooting hardware and software issues, and customer service experience. It typically requires basic knowledge of operating systems, networking, and common tools like remote support software, making it accessible for beginners in the IT field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Desktop jobs in California?

The most popular types of Desktop jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Desktop Manager jobs in California?

For Desktop Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Desktop Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Desktop Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Desktop Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Desktop Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Desktop Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,512 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Manager IT Desktop Field Services

University of California San Francisco

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


University Of California San Francisco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

232nd of 620 rated colleges and universities


Job description


This position is one of several manager positions in the IT Field Services group, with primary responsibility over the Medical Center field technicians. The position reports directly to the IT Field Services Associate Director and will manage a team of leads and supervisors. The Site Manager will be responsible for successfully delivering desktop support services under the program guidelines. This position will supervise, recruit, hire, evaluate and develop field technicians, leads, and supervisors. They will interface with other IT managers and technical staff and will be directly involved in resolving ticket escalations as well as coordinating the communication of service status related to his/her area of responsibility. The position will also work as needed on special projects and work closely with other site managers to ensure services and resources are adequately provided at all service locations. The position will also maintain close working relationships with key customers to improve customer support and ensure satisfaction with IT services.
Department Overview
UCSF IT is a highly complex environment that interacts with many IT service providers within UCSF community, as with the Campus and Medical Center IT environments. The department includes administrative staff, project managers, software developers, server administrators, service desk personnel, network infrastructure, network security, desktop engineering, and field desktop support.
Responsibilities
of time
Essential Function (Yes/No)
Key Responsibilities
(To be completed by Supervisor)
30
YES
Provides direction to employees following established policies to resolve complex desktop or network related problems that are escalated by business / technical support staff. Manages, through subordinate supervisors, the coordination of activities of a department with responsibility for results in terms of costs, methods, and employees.
  • Resourcing: review tickets, prioritize work, coverage, tools
  • 80% Customer Survey Satisfaction of greater than 4.5
  • Customer Escalation: less than 15%
  • Staff Metrics are less than 1 standard deviation from overall team
  • 85% of SLA's are met

10
Provides strategic direction to department.
10
Monitors service level agreements with customers and ensures that customer requirements are met. Manages technical and customer escalations:
  • Facilitate escalation to partner IT groups
  • Apply senior-level technical skills to troubleshoot and resolve desktop and networking problems
  • Escalate unresolved issues to engineering and 3rd level IT teams as necessary
  • Responsible for coordinating desktop support across the region, including troubleshooting and resolving complex issues related to desktop and laptop systems, hand held devices, printers, peripherals, network connectivity, desktop software applications and utilities, and IT security
  • Develop and recommend cost-effective solutions to variously complex technology problems based on customer needs and knowledge of IT standards.
  • Develop and deliver IT training to customer, including but not limited to analyzing customer needs and developing appropriate training and curriculum.
  • Track all work with appropriate documentation in the ITSM system and time reporting systems.
  • Assure that records are consistently accurate for inventory, asset tracking, time reporting and budget reporting.
  • Participate in after hours on-call rotation.

20
Leads projects related to business / technical support issues such as coordinating a team to upgrade operating systems on multiple desktops.
  • Manage small to medium sized technology projects including: moves, upgrades, organizational structure changes, new technology and new system rollouts.
  • Manage project communicaiton, status reporting, customer issues, documents, activities, resources, tasks, schedules
  • Complete other project management duties as assigned.

5
Manages hiring process for business / technical support supervisors (writing job descriptions, scheduling interviews, evaluating candidates).
5
Performs annual performance evaluations of business / technical support supervisors.
5
Develops and monitors operational and budget processes, staff FTE, finance, human resources and space planning.
5
Establishes and recommends changes to policies which affect the department.
5
Proactive Client Relationship Management
  • Regular meetings with key customers and stakeholders to identify issues, opportunities and new projects
  • Conduct Security, hardware and software assessments (audits)
  • Consult with key clients to review project status, customer service issues and solutions to business needs.
  • Manage and report on ITFS volume and SLA's
  • Hardware lifecycle for budgeting
  • Inventory management for refresh and software licensing

5
Provide representation for the Desktop Systems team in cross-functional discussions, planning and reporting to management.
0
0
0
0
0
100%
(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
  • 7 - 8 years' applicable business technical support experience in a healthcare setting, or related combination of education, training, and experience.
  • Demonstrated experience leading change management activities and managing their impact across the unit or department.
  • Demonstrated experience of analyzing buy vs. build procurement for products for effective and efficient technology use.
  • Has broad knowledge of business / technical support functions and working knowledge of other areas of IT sufficient for strategic planning, technology assessment, and direction.
  • Has broad knowledge of policies and procedures necessary to determine the appropriate course of action.
  • Has demonstrated technical skills associated with identifying and resolving problems reported with desktop, laptop, and networked systems.
  • Requires proven interpersonal and management skills.
  • Requires demonstrated ability to communicate highly technical information in a clear and concise manner to both technical and nontechnical personnel.
  • Requires demonstrated ability to work at all levels across the organization. Requires the ability to gain the cooperation of others.
  • Requires demonstrated skill in managing technical staff.
  • Demonstrated experience in the management of ongoing technology infrastructure acquisition and expansion, to include the identification and integration of suitable emerging technologies.
  • Broad knowledge of technical concepts and basic operating principles of data communications, computer hardware, vendor IT products, and software.
  • Demonstrated ability to understand the process involved to adapt, integrate, and modify existing programs or vendor-supplied products for use within the technical environment.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present technical topics to individuals and groups with potentially varied levels of technical sophistication.
  • Broad knowledge and understanding of service delivery principles.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • 3 - 4 years' supervisory experience.

About Us
About UCSF
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.
Pride Values
UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.
In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.
Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
Salary Information
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

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