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How Much Do Computer Support Specialists or Systems Administrators Make? Computer Support Specialist and Systems Administratorn Salary, Jobs, Job Outlook, Job Descriptions, and Opportunities!
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Important Career Information
Job growth is projected to be faster than the average for all occupations.
A bachelor's degree is required for some jobs, while an associate degree or certification is adequate for others.
Job prospects should be good, especially for college graduates with relevant skills and experience.
Salary: How Much Do Computer Support Specialists and Computer Systems Administrators Make?
Median annual pay of computer support specialists were $43,450 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent were paid between $33,680 and $55,990. The lowest 10 percent were paid less than $26,580, and the highest 10 percent were paid more than $70,750. Median annual pay in the industries employing the largest numbers of computer support specialists in May 2008 were:
Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers $48,580
Management of companies and enterprises 45,200
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 43,130
Computer systems design and related services 43,080
Elementary and secondary schools 40,550
Median annual salary and pay of network and computer systems administrators were $62,130 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent make between $48,520 and $79,160. The lowest 10 percent make less than $38,610, and the highest 10 percent make more than $97,080. Median annual salary and pay in the industries employing the largest numbers of network and computer systems administrators in May 2006 were as follows:
Wired telecommunications carriers $70,790
Computer systems design and related services 66,680
Management of companies and enterprises 66,020
Colleges, universities, and professional schools 54,590
Elementary and secondary schools 53,750
What does a Computer Support Specialist and Computer Systems Administrator do?
Computer Support Specialist and Computer Systems Administrator Jobs, Job Description, and Responsibilities
A Computer support specialist provides technical assistance, support, and advice to customers and other users. This occupational group includes the technical support specialist and help-desk technician. These troubleshooters interpret problems and provide technical support for hardware, software, and systems. They answer telephone calls, analyze problems by using automated diagnostic programs, and resolve recurring difficulties. A support specialist may work either within a company that uses computer systems or directly for a computer hardware or software vendor. Increasingly, a computer support specialist works for help-desk or support services firms, for which they provide computer support to clients on a contract basis.
A technical support specialist answers telephone calls from their organizations' computer users and may run automatic diagnostics programs to resolve problems. In addition, a technical support specialist oversees the daily performance of their company's computer systems and evaluates software programs with regard to their usefulness.
A network administrator and computer systems administrator designs, installs, and supports an organization's local-area network (LAN), wide-area network (WAN), network segment, Internet, or intranet system. A network administrator and computer systems administrator provide day-to-day onsite administrative support for software users in a variety of work environments, including professional offices, small businesses, government, and large corporations. A network administrator and computer systems administrator maintains network hardware and software, analyzes problems, and monitors the network to ensure its availability to system users. These administrators gather data to identify customer needs and then use the information to identify, interpret, and evaluate system and network requirements. Administrators also may plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures.
A systems administrator is the information technology employee responsible for the efficient use of networks by organizations. A systems administrator ensures that the design of an organization's computer site allows all of the components, including computers, the network, and software, to fit together and work properly. Furthermore, they monitor and adjust the performance of existing networks and continually survey the current computer site to determine future network needs. A systems administrator also troubleshoots problems reported by users and by automated network monitoring systems and makes recommendations for enhancements in the implementation of future servers and networks.
In some organizations, a computer security specialist may plan, coordinate, and implement the organization's information security. A computer security specialist may be called upon to educate users about computer security, install security software, monitor the network for security breaches, respond to cyber attacks, and, in some cases, gather data and evidence to be used in prosecuting cyber crime. The responsibilities of a computer security specialist has increased in recent years as there has been a large increase in the number of cyber attacks on data and networks.
Job Working Conditions for Computer Support Specialists and Computer Systems Administrators
A computer support specialist and systems administrator normally work in well-lighted, comfortable offices or computer laboratories. They usually work about 40 hours a week, but that may include being "on call" via pager or telephone for rotating evening or weekend work if the employer requires computer support over extended hours. Overtime may be necessary when unexpected technical problems arise.
Computer Support Specialist and Computer Systems Administrator Training, College Programs, and Advancement
Due to the wide range of skills required, there are many paths of entry to a job as a computer support specialist or systems administrator. While there is no universally accepted way to prepare for a job as a computer support specialist, many employers prefer to hire those with some formal college education. A bachelor's degree in computer science or information systems is a prerequisite for some jobs; however, other jobs may require only a computer-related associate's degree. For a systems administrator, many employers seek applicants with bachelor's degrees, although not necessarily in a computer-related field.
A beginning computer support specialist usually works for organizations that deal directly with customers or in-house users. The specialist may advance into more responsible jobs. Job promotions usually depend more on performance of the computer support specialist, than on formal education. Eventually, some computer support specialists become applications developers, designing products rather than assisting users. A computer support specialist at hardware and software companies often enjoy great upward mobility; advancement sometimes comes within months of one's initial job.
An entry-level network and computer systems administrator is involved in routine maintenance and monitoring of computer systems. As with the support specialist, an administrator may become a software engineer, actually involved in the designing of the system or network and not just its day-to-day administration.
Those interested in becoming a computer support specialist or systems administrator must have strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, because troubleshooting and helping others are vital parts of the job.
As technology continues to improve, a computer support specialist and systems administrator must keep their skills current and acquire new ones.
Where are the Jobs? Computer Support Specialist and Computer Systems Administrator Jobs
Computer support specialists and systems administrators held about 797,000 jobs in 2004. Of these, approximately 518,000 were computer support specialists and around 278,000 were network and computer systems administrators. Although they worked in a wide range of industries, about 23 percent of all computer support specialists and systems administrators were employed in professional, scientific, and technical services industries, principally computer systems design and related services. Other organizations that employed substantial numbers of computer support specialists and systems administrators include administrative and support services companies, banks, government agencies, insurance companies, educational institutions, and wholesale and retail vendors of computers, office equipment, appliances, and home electronic equipment. Many computer support specialists worked for manufacturers of computers, semiconductors, and other electronic components.
Job Outlook and Job Opportunities for Computer Support Specialists and Computer Systems Administrators
Due to the demand for computer support specialists and systems administrators over the next decade, those who have strong computer skills, but do not have a bachelor's degree, should continue to qualify for some entry-level jobs. However, certifications and practical experience are essential for persons without degrees.
Jobs for computer support specialists are expected to increase faster than the average for all careers through 2014, as organizations continue to adopt increasingly sophisticated technology and integrate it into their systems. Job growth will continue to be driven by the ongoing expansion of the computer system design and related services industry, which is projected to remain one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. economy.
The growth of electronic commerce means that more companies use the Internet to conduct their business online. This growth translates into a need for information technology specialists who can help organizations use technology to communicate with employees, clients, and consumers. Growth in these areas also is expected to fuel demand for specialists who are knowledgeable about network, data, and communications security.
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Jobs for systems administrators are expected to increase much faster than the average for all careers as firms continue to invest heavily in securing computer networks. Companies are looking for specialists who are knowledgeable about the function and administration of networks. Such employees have become increasingly hard to find as systems administration has moved from being a separate function within corporations to one that forms a crucial element of business in an increasingly high-technology economy. Also, demand for computer security specialists will grow as businesses and government continue to invest heavily in "cyber security," protecting vital computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. The information security field is expected to generate many opportunities over the next decade as firms across all industries place a high priority on safeguarding their data and systems.
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According to Robert Half Technology, starting salaries in 2007 ranged from $27,500 to $37,000 for help-desk specialists. Starting salaries for desktop support analysts ranged from $46,500 to $65,250. For systems administrators, starting salaries ranged from $50,000 to $75,750.
Employers of computer support specialists and systems administrators range from startup companies to established industry leaders. With the continued development of the Internet, telecommunications, and e-mail, industries not typically associated with computers—such as construction—increasingly need computer specialists. Small and large firms across all industries are expanding or developing computer systems, creating an immediate need for computer support specialists and systems administrators.
Jobs for systems administrators are expected to increase much faster than the average for all careers as firms continue to invest heavily in securing computer networks. Companies are looking for specialists who are knowledgeable about the function and administration of networks. Such employees have become increasingly hard to find as systems administration has moved from being a separate function within corporations to one that forms a crucial element of business in an increasingly high-technology economy. Also, demand for computer security specialists will grow as businesses and government continue to invest heavily in "cyber security," protecting vital computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. The information security field is expected to generate many opportunities over the next decade as firms across all industries place a high priority on safeguarding their data and systems.
