Related job titles are: Computer Operator, Software Engineer, Tech Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, Customer Support Specialist.
How Much Does a Computer Support Specialist Make? | Computer Support Specialist Salary
The median yearly salary for computer support specialists was $46,260 in May 2010 (the most recent data available). The median salary is the salary at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than the amount and half earned less. Employees in the lower 10 percent had an annual salary less than $28,300, and those employees in the top 10 percent earned greater then $76,970.
What Does a Computer Support Specialist Do? | Job Description
Customer Service Rep is one of U.S. News and World Report "100 Best Jobs of 2013."
Computer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment. Some, called technical support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization. Others, called help-desk technicians, assist non-IT users who are having computer problems.
Technical support specialists, also called computer network support specialists, usually work in their organization’s IT department. They help IT staff analyze, troubleshoot, and evaluate computer network problems. They play an important role in the daily upkeep of their organization’s networks by finding solutions to problems as they occur. Solving an IT problem in a timely manner is important because organizations depend on their computer systems. Technical support specialists may provide assistance to the organization’s computer users through phone, email, or in-person visits.
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How to Become a Computer Support Specialist?
Because of the wide range of skills for different computer support jobs, there are many paths into the occupation. A bachelor’s degree is required for some computer support specialist positions, but an associate's degree or career college classes may be enough for others. After being hired, many workers enter a training program that lasts for several months.
Computer Support Specialist Classes and Courses | Degree Programs
Training requirements for computer support specialists vary, but many employers prefer to hire applicants who have a bachelor's degree. More technical positions are likely to require a degree in a field such as computer science, engineering, or information science, but for others the applicant’s field of study is less important. Some lower level help-desk jobs or call-center jobs require some computer knowledge, but not necessarily a career college degree.
Computer Support Specialist Jobs | Who is Hiring?
Employment of computer support specialists is expected to grow 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. More support services will be needed as organizations upgrade their computer equipment and software. Computer support staff will be needed to respond to the installation and repair requirements of increasingly complex computer equipment and software. Employment growth should also be strong in healthcare industries. This field is expected to greatly increase its use of information technology (IT), and support services will be crucial to keep everything running properly.
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