Computers and math
Computer user support specialist
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, 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.
Median pay
$61,860
Growth to 2035
−3%
declining
Openings a year
39,700
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Computer user support specialist
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Some college, no degree
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Computer user support specialist: 58% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
- Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
- Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
- Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
- Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
- Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
- Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
Also called: Computer Support Specialist · Computer Tech (Computer Technician) · Desktop Support Technician (Desktop Support Tech) · Help Desk Analyst · Help Desk Tech (Help Desk Technician) · IS Tech (Information Systems Technician) · IT Specialist (Information Technology Specialist) · IT Support Specialist (Information Technology Support Specialist)
Outlook and AI
Computer user support specialists held 750,600 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 724,400 by 2035 (−3%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
Sourcing change, capital/labor substitution - share decreases as more businesses offshore their computer user support or solve computer troubleshooting needs using generative artificial intelligence (AI).
Compare with
- Computer user support specialist vs. Computer network support specialist
- Computer user support specialist vs. Network and computer systems administrators
- Computer user support specialist vs. Computer occupations, all other
- Computer user support specialist vs. Computer systems analyst
- Computer user support specialist vs. Software engineer
- Computer user support specialist vs. Database administrator
- Computer user support specialist vs. Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers
- Computer user support specialist vs. Information security analyst
- Computer user support specialist vs. QA engineer