Computer User Support Specialists

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.

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), IT Tech (Information Technology Technician), Technical Support Specialist, 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 Tech (Computer Support Technician), Computer System Tech (Computer Systems Technician), Computer Systems Specialist, Computer Technical Specialist, Computer Technologist, Customer Liaison, Customer Service Technician (Customer Service Tech), Customer Support Analyst, Customer Support Rep (Customer Support Representative), Customer Support Specialist, Desktop Analyst, Desktop Support Analyst, Desktop Support Engineer, Desktop Support Manager, Desktop Support Specialist, Desktop Technician (Desktop Tech), End User Support Specialist, Health Information Technology Specialist, Help Desk Coordinator, Help Desk Operator, Help Desk Representative (Help Desk Rep), Help Desk Specialist, Help Desk Support Specialist, Help Desk Support Technician (Help Desk Support Tech), IT Analyst (Information Technology Analyst), IT Associate (Information Technology Associate), IT Generalist (Information Technology Generalist), IT Help Desk Tech (Information Technology Help Desk Technician), IT Support Analyst (Information Technology Support Analyst), IT Support Engineer (Information Technology Support Engineer), IT Support Tech (Information Technology Support Technician), LAN Applications Support Analyst (Local Area Network Applications Support Analyst), Micro Computer Specialist, Micro Computer Support Specialist, Micro Computer Technician (Micro Computer Tech), Operating Systems Specialist (OS Specialist), Operations Support Technician (Operations Support Tech), PC Consultant (Personal Computer Consultant), PC Installation Engineer (Personal Computer Installation Engineer), PC Specialist (Personal Computer Specialist), PC Support Specialist (Personal Computer Support Specialist), PC Support Tech (Personal Computer Support Technician), PC Systems Coordinator (Personal Computer Systems Coordinator), PC Tech (Personal Computer Technician), Printer Technician (Printer Tech), Product Support Consultant, Product Support Engineer, Product Support Specialist, Service Desk Analyst, Software Installer, Support Engineer, Support Specialist, Support Technician (Support Tech), Technical Services Specialist, Technical Support Analyst, Technical Support Call Center Representative (Technical Support Call Center Rep), Technical Support Engineer, Technical Support Representative (Technical Support Rep), Technical Support Technician (Technical Support Tech), User Support Analyst, User Support Specialist, Work Station Support Specialist

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Writing
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Learning
Learning Strategies
Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness
Service Orientation

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree (13.74% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

49,000–79,040 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 15-1232.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree (13.74% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Computer User Support Specialists