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IT Support Specialists

IT Support Specialists provide technical assistance and maintain computer systems, networks, and equipment for organizations and individual users. These professionals troubleshoot hardware and software issues, configure security settings, monitor system performance, and ensure proper installation of technology resources. They work in various environments including corporate offices, help desk centers, and educational institutions, offering support both remotely and in-person.

Median Annual Pay
$61,539
Range: $37,690 - $121,920
Training Time
4-5 years
AI Resilience
🔴High Disruption Risk
Education
Bachelor's degree

🎬Career Video

🤖AI Resilience Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 1/6: high AI task exposure, declining job demand creates significant risk from AI disruption

🔴High Disruption Risk

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
High+0

61% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Declining+0

-4% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 15/25

Total Score1/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

📋Key Responsibilities

  • Back up network data.
  • Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
  • Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
  • Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
  • Document network support activities.
  • Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.
  • Install network software, including security or firewall software.
  • Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.

💡Inside This Career

IT Support Specialists spend their days solving technical puzzles and keeping technology running smoothly for organizations and users. Their morning might begin by reviewing overnight system alerts and prioritizing support tickets, then shift to diagnosing why a department's network connection has slowed to a crawl. They often find themselves moving between different environments—from server rooms where they configure hardware and test connections, to office spaces where they sit beside frustrated users to troubleshoot software issues. Whether working remotely to resolve problems through screen-sharing sessions or on-site installing new equipment, these professionals serve as the crucial bridge between complex technology and the people who depend on it.

A significant portion of their day involves direct problem-solving, which could mean anything from identifying why emails aren't syncing across devices to investigating security vulnerabilities in network infrastructure. They collaborate closely with colleagues from various departments, translating technical concepts into understandable terms and gathering information to diagnose root causes. Documentation plays a key role in their work—they maintain detailed records of solutions, create user guides, and update system configurations. The variety keeps them engaged: one hour they might be walking a marketing team through new software features, and the next they're working with vendors to resolve connectivity issues affecting multiple office locations.

The pace can be unpredictable, with routine maintenance tasks sometimes interrupted by urgent system failures that require immediate attention. IT Support Specialists often work as part of larger technology teams, coordinating with network administrators, security specialists, and management to implement solutions that balance user needs with system reliability and security requirements.

📈Career Progression

What does this mean?

This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.

1
Entry (10th %ile)
0-2 years experience
$37,690
$33,921 - $41,459
2
Early Career (25th %ile)
2-6 years experience
$47,230
$42,507 - $51,953
3
Mid-Career (Median)
5-15 years experience
$61,539
$55,385 - $67,693
4
Experienced (75th %ile)
10-20 years experience
$91,730
$82,557 - $100,903
5
Expert (90th %ile)
15-30 years experience
$121,920
$109,728 - $134,112

📚Education & Training

Requirements

  • Entry Education: Bachelor's degree
  • Experience: One to two years
  • On-the-job Training: One to two years
  • !License or certification required

Time & Cost

Education Duration
4-5 years (typically 4)
Estimated Education Cost
$44,118 - $164,730
Public (in-state):$44,118
Public (out-of-state):$91,314
Private nonprofit:$164,730
Source: college board (2024)
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💻Technology Skills

Windows/macOS administrationActive DirectoryNetwork monitoring toolsHelp desk ticketing systemsCisco networkingBash/PowerShell scriptingRemote support toolsWindows/macOSMicrosoft 365Help desk software (ServiceNow, Zendesk)Remote desktop toolsBasic scripting

Key Abilities

Oral Comprehension
Problem Sensitivity
Deductive Reasoning
Oral Expression
Inductive Reasoning
Written Comprehension
Information Ordering
Written Expression
Near Vision
Speech Recognition

🏷️Also Known As

IT Support SpecialistsCloud EngineerCloud Support SpecialistComputer Network AnalystComputer Network SpecialistComputer Network Support SpecialistComputer NetworkerComputer Operations TechnicianComputer Systems SpecialistConfiguration Technician+20 more

📑Support Roles

This career includes 3 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.

🔗Related Careers

Other careers in technology

🔗Data Sources

Last updated: 2026-01-09

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