Salary of Computer Support Specialist Overview

What is A computer support specialist?

Computer support specialists help with login issues, operating system and software malfunctions, and some even require a screwdriver to open a laptop or PC. Due to the number of phone calls, face-to-face meetings, emails, and in some cases, chats that they do on a daily basis, people in this field must demonstrate excellent communication skills. They need to ask users the right questions to identify the problem, find a solution, and then guide them step-by-step through the problem.

Almost everyone has thrown their hands up in frustration after a million failed attempts to log into their computer or more than an hour of struggling with a router to set up a home network. When you reach for the phone or keyboard for help and a little comfort, the person on the other end is usually a computer support specialist.

These tech professionals work in a variety of environments—from traditional offices to universities and call centers—but the main goal of the men and women who field the often frantic requests for help from users with computer problems is always the same: to help them. They need a friendly and effective way. “We have to figure out how we can diagnose their problems and do it quickly,” said Guido Diaz, a distributed computing systems analyst at the Florida Department of Education. Customer relations and troubleshooting are very important.

Another segment of computer support professionals deal with network issues rather than answering general requests for help. Known as computer network support specialists, these professionals receive their fair share of distressed phone calls and emails, but they often revolve around network problems, ranging from employees at work to customers or the public. . In addition to responding and resolving issues in a timely manner, network support professionals troubleshoot an organization’s network computer system to fix potential problems and perform regular maintenance to ensure that all components are functioning properly.

As organizations upgrade legacy hardware, software, and network equipment and require more experienced and knowledgeable professionals to answer user questions, computer support professionals will continue to be a job in demand. A flaw in the industry’s job outlook: The recent rise of cloud computing could increase the productivity of computer support professionals, thus reducing the number of employees that organizations need to hire. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth of 8.9 percent for computer support professionals between 2020 and 2030. During this period, it is estimated that 58,000 jobs will be created.

How much does a computer support specialist earn?

The average salary for computer support professionals in 2020 was $52,690. The top 25 percent earned $68,500 that year, while the lowest paid 25 percent made $40,730.

How to become A computer support specialist?

While some employers may require a graduate degree or certification, Diaz says computer support professionals are typically evaluated on their overall level of competence, technical acumen and customer service skills.

Diaz, who has a degree in network engineering but considers himself self-taught in the details of his current job, says that it’s important to “prove that you can do the job.” He recommends complete mastery of operating systems and hardware components, Microsoft Office training, and CompTIA A+ certification, which is obtained by taking two exams that determine your general competency as a computer technician. For computer network support professionals, the requirements may be more stringent, and employers are likely to only hire applicants with at least an associate’s degree.

Job Satisfaction

The average American works well into their 60s, so workers may have an enjoyable and fulfilling career. A job with a low stress level, good work-life balance, and strong prospects for improvement, promotion, and higher pay make many employees happy. Here’s how Computer support specialists Job satisfaction is rated in terms of upward mobility, stress level and flexibility.