IT Support Specialist
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
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.
Also called: Computer Support Specialist · Computer Tech (Computer Technician) · Desktop Support Technician (Desktop Support Tech) · Help Desk Analyst · Help Desk Tech (Help Desk Technician) · IS Tech (Information Systems Technician) · IT Specialist (Information Technology Specialist) · IT Support Specialist (Information Technology Support Specialist)
O*NET-SOC 15-1232.00 (Computer User Support Specialists)
IT Support Specialist salary
Wages for computer user support specialists across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $29.74.
IT Support Specialist pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $52,270 | $79,570 | $122,750 |
| Texas | $38,690 | $59,490 | $90,140 |
| Florida | $38,750 | $58,740 | $97,560 |
| New York | $46,620 | $72,560 | $109,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,280 | $58,670 | $84,790 |
| Illinois | $40,440 | $59,860 | $96,040 |
| Ohio | $38,730 | $59,720 | $89,700 |
| Georgia | $37,750 | $60,440 | $98,750 |
| North Carolina | $38,270 | $60,120 | $97,210 |
| Michigan | $38,150 | $56,240 | $84,940 |
IT Support Specialist job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 750,600 jobs in 2025 to 724,400 in 2035 (-4% change).
- About 39,700 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Below Average.
How to become an IT support specialist
- Typical entry education
- Some college, no degree
- Work experience
- No work experience
- On-the-job training
- 1 to 12 months on-the-job training
Education level of current workers
- Less than high school diploma1.2%
- High school diploma or equivalent10.7%
- Some college, no degree23.4%
- Associate's degree14.8%
- Bachelor's degree36.4%
- Master's degree11.9%
- Doctoral or professional degree1.5%
Related training programs
- Agricultural Business Technology/Technician
- Computer Support Specialist
- Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant
What does an IT support specialist do?
Common tasks
- Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
- Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
- Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
- Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
- Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
- Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
- Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
- Refer major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
- Prepare evaluations of software or hardware, and recommend improvements or upgrades.
Most important skills
- Speaking
- Talking to others.
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
- Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
- Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
- Writing
- Writing things for co-workers or customers.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Understanding people's reactions.
IT Support Specialist certifications
8 of 57 certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- Avid Technology, Inc. · Product/Equipment
- Avid Technology, Inc. · Product/Equipment
- Citrix Systems Incorporated · Product/Equipment
- Citrix Systems Incorporated · Product/Equipment
- Mile2 · Core
- Certiport · Skill
- Certiport · Skill
- Avid Technology, Inc. · Product/Equipment
See all 57certifications in CareerOneStop's Certification Finder
IT Support Specialist jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more information technology jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Information Technology jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
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This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for Computer User Support Specialists. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.