Computer User Support Specialists: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Stan T.Career, Overview

Computer Support Specialists

Computer Support Specialists provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, or 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.

Salary
$57000
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job description

Computer User Support Specialists provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, or 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.

  • Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
  • 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.
Read more about what does a Computer User Support Specialist really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$55050 per year

Average hourly wage
$26 per hour


Computer Support Specialists with little to no experience tend to make between $31220 and $39310 while the more experienced ones can earn over $65640 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
DC $34 $71,020
CA $32 $66,350
NJ $31 $65,260
MA $31 $63,860
WA $30 $62,180

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Computer User Support Specialist is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Computer Support Specialists are DC, CA, NJ, MA and WA.

However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Computer User Support Specialist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Bachelor’s degree

We asked other Computer Support Specialists what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Bachelor’s Degree followed by a High School Diploma.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Agricultural Business Technology
Computer Support Specialist
Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant
Read more about how to become a Computer User Support Specialist and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Computer User Support Specialist.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work
Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week)
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
Salary is below average

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
66%

Is this job meaningful
45%


66% of Computer Support Specialists said they were satisfied with their job and 45% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.

CoCoFinder

Working as an IT Technician, several aspects of my job are exactly how pop culture has come to describe it. However, there are also many things that you do not find out until you work in the industry. A typical day starts off earlier than most people as I need to make sure all the … Read More


Guardian Computer, an IT services and support company based in New Orleans, LA

Working within the IT field, especially in B2B IT support, necessitates a degree of professional flexibility. Professionals like myself tend to immerse ourselves cross-departmentally. On any given day, I may be required to wear the hat of a backup solutions engineer, customer service liaison, help desk support specialist, or problem-solving coordinator. My primary responsibility is … Read More



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Builders and The Thinkers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.



Learn more about Computer Support Specialists

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Computer Support Specialists job description, Computer Support Specialists salary, Computer Support Specialists information, what is the job of a Computer User Support Specialist like, pros and cons about Computer User Support Specialists, colleges and universities for Computer User Support Specialists, is Computer User Support Specialists the right career for me, careers in Computer IT and Mathematics

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