Computer support specialists assist computer users and organizations. These specialists either maintain computer networks or provide technical help directly to computer users.
Computer network support specialists typically do the following:
Computer network support specialists analyze and troubleshoot computer network problems. They have an important role in the daily, weekly, or monthly maintenance of their organization’s networks. This maintenance may be routine or part of the organization’s disaster recovery efforts. Network support specialists also may assist computer users through phone, email, or in-person visits. They often work under the direction of network and computer systems administrators, who handle more complex tasks.
Computer user support specialists typically do the following:
Computer user support specialists, also called help-desk technicians, usually provide technical help to non-IT computer users. They respond to requests for help in a number of ways, such as in person or by phone, online chat, or email.
Help-desk technicians solve a range of problems that vary with the industry and the particular firm. Some technicians work for large software companies or for support service firms and instruct business customers in the use of business-specific programs, such as an electronic health records program used in hospitals or physicians’ offices.
Other help-desk technicians work in call centers and take customers through a problem step by step, such as to reestablish an Internet connection or to troubleshoot Wi-Fi routers or other household IT products.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Communication skills. Computer support specialists must clearly convey information, both orally and in writing. They must describe solutions to computer problems in way that nontechnical users can understand.
Customer-service skills. Computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic. They often help people who are frustrated trying to use software or hardware.
Listening skills. Support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions for clarification.
Problem-solving skills. Support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems and then analyze and solve them.
Median annual wages, May 2021
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.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
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.
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.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Computer support specialists |
15-1230 | 875,700 | 932,100 | 6 | 56,400 | Get data | |
Computer network support specialists |
15-1231 | 185,500 | 199,200 | 7 | 13,800 | Get data | |
Computer user support specialists |
15-1232 | 690,200 | 732,900 | 6 | 42,700 | Get data | |
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
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Computer user support specialists (PDF)