Computer User Support Specialist earn $61,860 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $49,000 and $79,040. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
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 known as:
Computer User Support Specialist earn $61,860 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,000 and $79,040. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Near the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Computer User Support Specialist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects -3.7% employment change for Computer User Support Specialist through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 40,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Declining employment projected.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Computer User Support Specialist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $61,860 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 70,920 | $76,870 | +24.3% |
| 2 | Texas | 61,290 | $55,320 | -10.6% |
| 3 | Florida | 48,780 | $58,120 | -6.0% |
| 4 | New York | 41,260 | $63,910 | +3.3% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 29,220 | $58,130 | -6.0% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Computer User Support Specialist positions require a some college, no degree to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Health Administration | 85,302 | $58,716 | 1,975 |
| 2 | IT Administration | 46,791 | $85,063 | 1,271 |
| 3 | Agricultural Business and Management | 8,085 | $66,647 | 380 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 5 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 6 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA | 91 | $12,116 | $102,772 |
Once you've sized up Computer User Support Specialist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Computer User Support Specialist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
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Computer User Support Specialist has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 2 upsides and 1 concerns below are all data-sourced.
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