Computer network support specialists held about 185,500 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of computer network support specialists were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | 19% |
| Telecommunications | 13 |
| Finance and insurance | 6 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 5 |
| Data processing, hosting, and related services | 3 |
Computer user support specialists held about 690,200 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of computer user support specialists were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | 22% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 11 |
| Temporary help services | 5 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 5 |
| Software publishers | 4 |
Some computer support specialists are able to telework. Others must be onsite or may need to travel to clients’ locations.
Work Schedules
Most computer support specialists work full time. Because computer support services may need to be available 24 hours a day, some specialists work nights or weekends.
Entry requirements vary for computer support specialists. Network support specialists typically need an associate’s degree, and user support specialists typically need to complete some college courses. However, candidates for either type of position may qualify with a high school diploma plus relevant information technology (IT) certifications.
Education
Education requirements for computer support specialists vary. Computer user support specialist jobs require some computer knowledge but not necessarily a college degree. Applicants who have taken courses in areas such as networking, server administration, and information security may qualify for these jobs. For computer network support specialists, employers may accept applicants who have an associate’s degree, although some prefer that applicants have a bachelor’s degree.
Large software companies that provide support to business users who buy their products or services may require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. Positions that are more technical are likely to require a degree in a field such as computer and information technology or engineering. For others, the applicant’s field of degree is less important.
To keep up with changes in technology, computer support specialists may need to continue their education throughout their careers.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Certification programs are generally offered by vendors or from vendor-neutral certification providers. Certification validates the knowledge of and best practices required by computer support specialists. Companies may require their computer support specialists to hold certifications in the products the companies use. Other types of certifications, such as CompTIA A+, may be a helpful starting point for workers seeking entry into the occupation.
Advancement
Many computer support specialists advance to other information technology positions, such as information security analysts, network and computer systems administrators and software developers. Some become managers in the computer support services department. Some organizations provide paths for support specialists to move into other parts of the organization, such as sales.
Computer support specialists typically have an interest in the Building, Thinking and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building or Thinking or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a computer support specialist, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Computer support specialists should also possess the following specific qualities:
Customer service skills. Computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic. They must often help people who are frustrated with the software or hardware they are trying to use.
Listening skills. Support workers must be able to understand the problem that their customer is describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation.
Problem-solving skills. Support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them.
Speaking skills. Support workers must describe the solution to a computer problem in a way that a nontechnical person can understand.
Writing skills. Strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as real-time web chat interactions.
The median annual wage for computer network support specialists was $62,760 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,560, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $102,410.
The median annual wage for computer user support specialists was $49,770 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $91,060.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for computer network support specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Telecommunications | $76,910 |
| Finance and insurance | 74,920 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 66,500 |
| Data processing, hosting, and related services | 62,460 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 61,390 |
In May 2021, the median annual wages for computer user support specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Software publishers | $59,830 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 58,430 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 48,540 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 48,530 |
| Temporary help services | 46,680 |
Most computer support specialists work full time. Because computer support services may need to be available 24 hours a day, some specialists work nights or weekends.
Overall employment of computer support specialists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 75,000 openings for computer support specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Computer support specialists will be needed to provide technical help and training to users with new hardware or software. However, this demand may be offset somewhat as organizations continue to implement automated tools, such as chatbots, for troubleshooting. Some businesses, especially smaller ones with minimal information technology (IT) requirements, may find it more cost effective to contract with outside firms for these services rather than to hire computer support specialists directly.
For more information about computer support specialists, visit
Association of Support Professionals
Help Desk Institute (HDI)
Technology Services Industry Association
For more information about computer careers, visit
Association for Computing Machinery
Computing Research Association
Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
For information about opportunities for women pursuing information technology careers, visit
National Center for Women & Information Technology