How to Become an Information Support Specialist: Career Advice & Information
Overview & Salaries
How to Become a IT Support Specialist
Overview
IT support helps coworkers (and sometimes external clients) with computer problems. Providing technical assistance with both hardware and software on a variety of operating systems, IT support specialists work for banks, healthcare institutions, government, and businesses of all kinds. IT support specialists have to be good listeners and communicators who are comfortable dealing with impatient coworkers, while also being experts in the computers and networks they support.
Salary
Annual salaries for IT support specialists will vary depending on your experience, education level, and expertise. In 2011, the average annual salary for IT support specialists working in the U.S. was $51,820 per year.
For more information on what parts of the country have the most opportunity for IT support specialists, click through to our Best Places to Work tab for information on the number of people employed and the average salary in each state.
Discover the Best Cities and States to Work as an IT Support Specialist
California offers the greatest number of employment opportunities in the nation, with 67,880 IT support specialists earning a yearly average salary of $59,050. Texas is second in the United States, where 54,370 are currently working in the field, making an average salary of $53,770.
The metro areas employing the most IT support specialists are:
- New York-White Plains (26,270)
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (20,790)
- Atlanta (17,750)
The metro areas employing the highest concentration of IT support specialists are:
- Boulder, CO (14.82 per thousand jobs)
- Burlington, VT (13.01 per thousand jobs)
The metro areas employing the best-paid IT support specialists are:
- San Jose-Sunnyvale, CA (average salary $73,350)
- San Francisco (average salary $69,660)
Employment and Salary Information for IT Support Specialists
Use our interactive map below to find out which areas of the United States are currently experiencing the greatest amount of growth and job availability for graduates looking for a career as an IT support specialist. The associated information has been gathered from Bureau of Labor statistics, representing data collected in 2012.
Why Become An IT Support Specialist?
As computers are integrated deeper into all kinds of work, the need to keep those computers running becomes greater. IT support specialists work on the front lines of computer maintenance, so they’re in increasing demand. Here are some of the advantages:
- Excellent job growth. IT support specialist jobs will grow much faster than average. 17% growth is forecast between 2012 and 2022.
- Flexibility. Many support specialists don’t work 9-to-5, but are on call at other times of day to deal with a crisis. If a set schedule bores you, flexibility might have some appeal.
- Good pay. Average pay in this position was a shade over $50,000 per year in 2011.
- Work with computers and It’s a technical job requiring technical skills, to be sure, but there’s also the reward of sending away your customers and clients happy when their problem is fixed and they can get back to work.
IT Support Specialist: What You Need To Know
A great IT support specialist is good with computers and good with people. He or she can walk through the likely problems with a computer, propose fixes, and remain calm, supportive and professional while doing so. In many companies, IT support also offers basic computer training for new hires. A working knowledge of these skill sets will help to set you apart from other candidates.
- Hardware and Software Expertise
- Problem Solving
- Listening Skills
- Communication Skills
- Patience
Feel like you’ve got a lot to learn? Get more information about IT support specialist careers, degrees, and applicable courses from one of the schools below.
Degree Options for IT Support Specialist Careers
While qualifications are always valuable, IT support is one field where, as long as you have the skills, it matters slightly less how you acquire them.
On-the-Job Training
Some IT support specialists are trained on the job, particularly in entry-level positions. Even then, candidates will usually have their own experience working with computer software and systems—much more than the average person.
Most IT support jobs will involve some on-the-job training in the systems and software the employer uses, as well as the employer’s expectations.
Certificate / Associate’s degree
Many companies will hire candidates who have received certification in a particular area of expertise through community colleges, technical, trade or vocational schools.
Bachelor’s degree
Some businesses may require their IT support specialists to have a Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.