The median pay for Computer User Support Specialists is $61,860 a year ($29.74/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 3.5% through 2035, with about 39,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Some college, no degree.
- SOC 15-1232
- Computer and Mathematical
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Computer User Support Specialist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $61,860a year, or $29.74/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $41KTop 10% $101K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -3.5%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−3.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −3.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 39,700750,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025750.6K
- Projected 2035724.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 750.6K Projected 2035 724.4K - Typical education
- Some collegeneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school0.3%
- Certificate32.3%
- Some college1.9%
- Associate's13.7%
- Bachelor's47.3%
- Professional degree4.1%
Highest education held by computer user support specialists Segment Value High school 0.3% Certificate 32.3% Some college 1.9% Associate's 13.7% Bachelor's 47.3% Professional degree 4.1%
Also advertised as: 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).
Pay
How much do computer user support specialists make?
Computer User Support Specialists earn a median of $61,860 a year ($29.74 an hour, or about $5,160 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $40,980 and the top 10% more than $100,540 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is District of Columbia, with a median of $80,950. See Computer user support specialist salary in District of Columbia and every other state. By city, pay is highest around Sacramento ($103,110 average): salary in every city.
Every computer user support specialist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$61,860
Middle half earn $49,000 to $79,040
- 10th
- $40,980
- 25th
- $49,000
- 75th
- $79,040
- 90th
- $100,540
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $40,980 |
| 25th | $49,000 |
| Median | $61,860 |
| 75th | $79,040 |
| 90th | $100,540 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $61,860
- Median hourly wage
- $29.74/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $67,330
- People employed
- 717,190
Versus all US occupations
At $61,860, Computer User Support Specialists earn 21% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $10,880 a year.
Versus computer and mathematical occupations
Inside the Computer and Mathematical group, where the middle occupation pays $116,580, this is 47% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $100,540 or more while the bottom 10% earn $40,980, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 35% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $80,950, and still leads at $73,657 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay computer user support specialists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $80,950 | $73,657 | 3,140 |
| 2California | $79,570 | $71,866 | 74,490 |
| 3Washington | $75,220 | $70,291 | 21,860 |
| 4Massachusetts | $75,070 | $70,983 | 17,570 |
| 5New York | $72,560 | $67,234 | 39,100 |
| 6Colorado | $71,900 | $69,771 | 16,740 |
| 7Connecticut | $70,210 | $67,764 | 9,300 |
| 8Wyoming | $65,100 | $70,233 | 790 |
| 9Virginia | $65,040 | $64,330 | 20,910 |
| 10Maryland | $64,750 | $61,691 | 12,200 |
Job outlook
Is computer user support specialist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -3.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Computer User Support Specialists | −3.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Computer User Support Specialists to change -3.5% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 26,200 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 39,700 openings are projected each year, 5.3% of the 750,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of computer support specialists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of computer support specialists varies by occupation. (See table.)
Employment growth of computer network support specialists is expected to be constrained because some businesses, especially smaller organizations with minimal information technology (IT) requirements, may find it more cost effective to contract with outside firms for these services rather than to employ computer network support specialists. Some of these workers also may be replaced by computer network architects because of a computer industry shift towards workers with broader skillsets that include design skills. However, the importance of strong network and other IT infrastructure will support some demand for computer network support specialists.
AI exposure: very high
BLS places this occupation in its very high relative AI exposure category, among the occupations most exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a computer user support specialist
Entry requirements vary for computer support specialists. Network support specialists typically need an associate’s degree, and user support specialists typically need to complete some college courses. However, candidates for either type of position may qualify with a high school diploma plus relevant information technology (IT) certifications.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Some college, no degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as computer user support specialists.
- Bachelor's Degree47.3%
- Post-Secondary Certificate32.3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree13.7%
- First Professional Degree4.1%
- Some College Courses1.9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 47.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 32.3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 13.7% |
| First Professional Degree | 4.1% |
| Some College Courses | 1.9% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a computer user support specialist do?
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.
Computer support specialists assist computer users and organizations. These specialists either maintain computer networks or provide technical help directly to computer users.
Day-to-day tasks
- Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
- Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
- Develop training materials and procedures, or train users in the proper use of hardware or software.
- Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
- 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.
- Refer major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
- Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most computer support specialists work full time. Because computer support services may need to be available 24 hours a day, some specialists work nights or weekends.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where computer user support specialists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Computer systems design and related services20%
- Educational services; state, local, and private11%
- Telecommunications8%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals8%
- Finance and insurance6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Computer systems design and related services | 20% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 11% |
| Telecommunications | 8% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 8% |
| Finance and insurance | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Writing3.5
- Active Learning3.1
- Learning Strategies3.1
- Monitoring3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.5 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Service Orientation3.1
- Instructing3.0
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Troubleshooting3.0
- Systems Analysis3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Service Orientation | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Application server software · in demand
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Cloud-based data access and sharing software · in demand
- Cloud-based management software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Configuration management software · in demand
- Content workflow software · in demand
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base reporting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a computer user support specialist?
Women make up 29.1% of computer user support specialists, against 47.1% of all employed people: more men than in the workforce as a whole.
21.1% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 42.4 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 29.1%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 42.4All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 21.1%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 677,000Computer support specialists · BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of computer user support specialists | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 29.1% | 47.1% |
| White | 68.7% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 13.1% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 14.0% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.2% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 21.1% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 6.2% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%. CPS reports this occupation only within the wider Census group “Computer support specialists”, so these figures are for that group.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a computer user support specialist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Computer User Support Specialist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Conventional6.0
- Realistic4.1
- Investigative3.8
- Social3.3
- Enterprising2.4
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Computer User Support Specialist
O*NET related occupations
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
Network and Computer Systems Administrator
$99,130median a year
Most earn $63K to $155K
−4.1%Bachelor's - Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
More computer and mathematical careers
Median annual pay, with computer user support specialists highlighted
- Software Developer$135,980
- Actuary$130,000
- Data Scientist$120,230
- Business Intelligence Analyst$120,230
- Database Administrator$104,620
- Web Designer$104,000
- Computer Programmer$100,390
- Web Developer$92,650
- Computer User Support Specialist$61,860
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | $135,980 |
| Actuary | $130,000 |
| Data Scientist | $120,230 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | $120,230 |
| Database Administrator | $104,620 |
| Web Designer | $104,000 |
| Computer Programmer | $100,390 |
| Web Developer | $92,650 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $61,860 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within computer user support specialist
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Computer User Support Specialist appears on
Questions
Computer User Support Specialist: frequently asked questions
How much do computer user support specialists make?
Computer User Support Specialists earn a median of $61,860 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 21% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $29.74/hr. The middle half earn between $49,000 and $79,040. The top 10% earn $100,540 or more.
How much do computer user support specialists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for computer user support specialists is $29.74 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $61,860 annual median works out to about $5,160 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a computer user support specialist?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of computer user support specialists earn less than $40,980 a year and the bottom quarter less than $49,000 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do computer user support specialists make $100k?
A minority do. $100,000 sits between the 75th percentile ($79,040) and the 90th ($100,540), so roughly 10% to 25% of computer user support specialists earn more than that (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No state's median reaches $100,000; the highest is District of Columbia at $80,950.
Which states pay computer user support specialists the most?
The highest state medians for Computer User Support Specialists are District of Columbia ($80,950), California ($79,570), Washington ($75,220) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of computer user support specialist earns the most?
BLS does not split computer user support specialists' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $100,540, against a median of $61,860 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are District of Columbia ($80,950), California ($79,570), Washington ($75,220). BLS also counts a specialty career inside this occupation (data center technician), which shares its federal pay figures.
Do you need a degree to become a computer user support specialist?
Not necessarily. BLS lists "some college, no degree" as the typical entry-level education for Computer User Support Specialists. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 47.3% hold bachelor's degree.
How long does it take to become a computer user support specialist?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for computer user support specialists is a some college, no degree. Once hired, BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing medium preparation.
Is computer user support specialist a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 3.5% over 2025–2035, a loss of 26,200 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 39,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a computer user support specialist do?
Computer support specialists assist computer users and organizations. A core O*NET task: read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Application server software, Business intelligence and data analysis software.
Do computer user support specialists work 40 hours a week?
Most work fewer than 40. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 0% of computer user support specialists usually work more than 40 hours a week, 0% work exactly 40 and 1% work fewer. 100% say their schedule is regular and 0% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a computer user support specialist?
O*NET scores Computer User Support Specialists highest on the Conventional, Realistic and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of computer user support specialists are women?
Women make up 29.1% of computer user support specialists, against 47.1% of all employed people: more men than in the workforce as a whole. 21.1% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 42.4 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages, for the Census group "Computer support specialists".