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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.
Other titles employers use
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)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, practical and analytical work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Writing
Subjects to know
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Telecommunications
- English Language
- Education and Training
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.7 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.2 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.4 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for some college. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 47%
- A certificate or some college 34%
- A two-year degree 14%
- A doctorate or professional degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Web platform development software
- Operating system software
- Development environment software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Data base management system software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Project management software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 81,510
- Job openings each year
- 6,390
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 23.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 81,510 | 6,390 | 23.4% |
| California | 72,900 | 5,000 | 4.7% |
| Florida | 54,060 | 4,000 | 14.2% |
| New York | 46,810 | 420 | 9.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 31,190 | 2,160 | 5.5% |
| Illinois | 27,500 | 1,820 | 1.0% |
| Georgia | 27,130 | 1,900 | 7.4% |
| Arizona | 26,290 | 1,950 | 14.5% |
| Washington | 25,840 | 2,300 | 16.6% |
| North Carolina | 24,870 | 1,790 | 10.7% |
| Virginia | 23,570 | 1,620 | 4.6% |
| Michigan | 22,870 | 1,530 | 2.0% |
| Colorado | 21,470 | 1,610 | 16.1% |
| New Jersey | 16,510 | 1,110 | 2.5% |
| Missouri | 15,820 | 1,110 | 7.3% |
| Wisconsin | 14,000 | 1,000 | 9.1% |
| Minnesota | 13,840 | 950 | 4.9% |
| Maryland | 13,480 | 970 | 10.7% |
| Utah | 13,430 | 1,040 | 20.7% |
| Indiana | 12,310 | 860 | 6.8% |
| Tennessee | 11,600 | 890 | 20.0% |
| South Carolina | 10,800 | 790 | 13.3% |
| Oregon | 10,340 | 740 | 10.2% |
| Connecticut | 10,040 | 690 | 5.5% |
| Montana | 8,730 | 580 | 1.2% |
| Alabama | 8,720 | 600 | 4.3% |
| Nevada | 8,320 | 610 | 13.5% |
| Oklahoma | 8,210 | 550 | 2.6% |
| Kansas | 7,990 | 540 | 3.1% |
| Kentucky | 7,760 | 540 | 5.3% |
| Massachusetts | 6,850 | 480 | 6.4% |
| Iowa | 6,090 | 410 | 3.6% |
| Nebraska | 5,300 | 370 | 6.0% |
| Arkansas | 4,700 | 330 | 7.6% |
| Puerto Rico | 4,620 | 340 | 13.0% |
| Idaho | 4,450 | 330 | 15.9% |
| District of Columbia | 4,180 | 280 | 2.0% |
| New Hampshire | 4,100 | 290 | 7.3% |
| New Mexico | 3,880 | 280 | 11.8% |
| Louisiana | 3,850 | 270 | 6.4% |
| Mississippi | 3,140 | 230 | 12.1% |
| Maine | 2,840 | 190 | — |
| Vermont | 2,280 | 170 | 12.9% |
| Rhode Island | 2,170 | 150 | 4.3% |
| West Virginia | 2,030 | 150 | 11.5% |
| Delaware | 1,760 | 120 | 2.9% |
| South Dakota | 1,680 | 110 | 3.7% |
| North Dakota | 1,560 | 110 | 6.8% |
| Alaska | 990 | 70 | 4.2% |
| Wyoming | 780 | 60 | 11.4% |
| Guam | 190 | 10 | 18.8% |
| Virgin Islands | 110 | 10 | −8.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 3,117
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 1,400
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 577
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Degrees each year
- 575
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- —
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 443
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Degrees each year
- 398
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 334
- Admit rate
- 64%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
University of Central Florida
- Degrees each year
- 333
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Compare every college offering agricultural business and management