Computer user support specialists

SOC Code: 15-1232
Also known as:
Application Customer Service Representative (Application CSR), Application Support Engineer, Applications Analyst, Automatic Data Processing Customer Liaison (ADP Customer Liaison), Call Center Support Representative (Call Center Support Rep)
Median Annual Salary
$60,340
-3.7% growth (2024-2034)
41K
Openings/Year
730K
Current Jobs

What Computer user support specialists 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.

💰 Salary

$60,340
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

-3.7%
Decline

🎓 Education

Some college, no degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

41K
Projected average per year

📚 On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

729,500

Projected Employment (2034)

702,500

Related Careers

Computer systems analysts

$103,790 • +8.7% growth

Software developers

$133,080 • +15.8% growth

Computer occupations, all other

$108,970 • +8.2% growth

Top Skills Required

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Refer major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
  • Prepare evaluations of software or hardware, and recommend improvements or upgrades.

Technology & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop AJAX Amazon Redshift Amazon Web Services AWS software Ansible software Apache Cassandra

📚 Entry-Level Education

Some college, no degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Computer user support specialists

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a computer user support specialists:

Computer Support Specialist

4,922 degrees awarded • 247 colleges offer this program

Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant

117 degrees awarded • 5 colleges offer this program

Agricultural Business Technology/Technician

35 degrees awarded • 6 colleges offer this program

Best Colleges for Becoming a Computer user support specialists

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become computer user support specialists.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson Jackson, TN 31 B
2 Polytech Adult Education Woodside, DE 22 B
3 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville Crossville, TN 15 B
4 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro Jacksboro, TN 14 B
5 Michigan Career and Technical Institute Plainwell, MI 12 B
6 American Public University System Charles Town, WV 228 C+
7 Seattle Central College Seattle, WA 138 C+
8 GateWay Community College Phoenix, AZ 93 C+
9 Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI 80 C+
10 Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID 62 C+
11 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI 42 C+
12 Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI 38 C+
13 Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WI 32 C+
14 Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI 32 C+
15 Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest Newbern, TN 31 C+
16 Elgin Community College Elgin, IL 31 C+
17 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR 25 C+
18 Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WI 24 C+
19 Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH 23 C+
20 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Hartsville Hartsville, TN 22 C+

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do computer user support specialists make?
The median annual salary for computer user support specialists is $60,340.
What education do computer user support specialists need?
Most computer user support specialists positions require a some college, no degree. Common degree programs include Computer Support Specialist, Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant, Agricultural Business Technology/Technician.
Is becoming computer user support specialists a good career choice?
Computer user support specialists is projected to see -3.7% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 40,800 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for computer user support specialists?
Top colleges for aspiring computer user support specialists include Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson, Polytech Adult Education, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro, Michigan Career and Technical Institute. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to computer user support specialists?
Computer user support specialists may also be known as: Application Customer Service Representative (Application CSR), Application Support Engineer, Applications Analyst, Automatic Data Processing Customer Liaison (ADP Customer Liaison), Call Center Support Representative (Call Center Support Rep), Cloud Operations Specialist, Computer Customer Support Specialist, Computer Hardware Technician (Computer Hardware Tech), Computer Help Desk Representative (Computer Help Desk Rep), Computer Help Desk Specialist, Computer Lab Assistant (Computer Laboratory Assistant), Computer Operations Technician (Computer Operations Tech), Computer Operator, Computer Specialist, Computer Support Specialist, Computer Support Tech (Computer Support Technician), Computer System Tech (Computer Systems Technician), Computer Systems Specialist, Computer Tech (Computer Technician), Computer Technical Specialist. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.