Computer Support Specialist | Salary & Job Information

Becoming a Computer Support Specialist via Online Education?

At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths. Everest University, one of the highest ranking online schools, is a US school (accredited) offering computer courses to train individuals to become top-notch computer programmers, computer engineers, software engineers, network engineers, computer technologists, computer systems analysts, computer systems consultants, etc. Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 540,560 people employed as computer support specialists alone in America, and their average annual salary is $47,360. Computer specialists make on average $78,010 per year and there are about 195,890 of them employed today. Colleges and universities like Everest University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into this field.

Typical Work Locations for a Computer Support Specialist
  • Hospital
  • University
  • School
  • Healthcare organization
  • Online database
  • Medical office
  • Aerospace corporation
  • Security network
  • Technology company
  • Wireless communication company
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Computer Support Specialist
  • Explain complex ideas to novice computer users
  • Oversee the daily performance of computer systems
  • Good job benefits
  • Establish and maintain interpersonal relationships
  • Organize, plan and prioritize work
  • Make decisions and solve problems
  • Importance of being exact or accurate
  • Attention to detail
  • Job security
  • Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems
Potential Drawbacks
  • Manage multiple priorities
  • Handle many different customers and situations at once
  • Deal with difficult and angry people
  • Requires high stress tolerance
  • Must handle emergencies
  • Spend time sitting
  • Read sometimes confusing manuals and follow complex instructions
  • Stay current on new technology
  • Requires flexibility
  • Requires excellent communication skills
Related Professions to Consider
  • Technical Support Specialist
  • Network Support Specialist
  • Computer Programmer
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
  • Desktop Support Specialist
  • Broadcast Technicians
  • Electrical and Electronics Repairer
  • Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmer
  • Computer Scientist
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Computer Support Specialist
  • What is your educational background?
  • Why you interested in computer support?
  • Do you prefer to work individually or in groups?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Why are you interested in working for this organization?
  • How can you evaluate software?
  • What skills will you bring to this organization?
  • How do you handle conflict?
  • Why do you think you are a good fit for this position?
  • How would you like to grow professionally?
Common Collaborating Professions
  • Computer Programmers
  • Desktop Support Specialist
  • Computer Systems Analysts
  • Office Manager
  • Computer Operator
  • Secretary
  • IT Specialist
  • Software Engineer
  • Computer Scientist
  • Word Processors and Typists
Computer Support Specialist Training books Computer Support Specialist (More) Popular books Potential Companies to Work For Common College Majors
  • Computer Information Systems Fundamentals
  • CompTIA A+ Essentials and IT Technician
  • Computer User Support
  • Business Communications
  • Project Management
  • Visual Basic Programming
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Network Communications
  • Advanced SQL Using Oracle Database Tools
  • Psychology of Human Relations

Computer Support Specialist Salary Information

Category: Computer support specialists

Total # Employed in the US 540,560
Average Hourly Wage: $22.77/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$13.08 $16.5 $21.3 $27.54 $34.95
Average Yearly Salary $47,360
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$27,200 $34,320 $44,300 $57,290 $72,690
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
1.0% 12.5% 29.4% 16.0% 33.1% 7.2% 0.9%
Computer support specialists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Missouri $28.96/hr $60,230
Florida $27.85/hr $57,920
Delaware $26.89/hr $55,920
District of Columbia $26.27/hr $54,630
Colorado $25.52/hr $53,080
Oklahoma $25.27/hr $52,570
Mississippi $24.98/hr $51,950
Connecticut $24.9/hr $51,790
North Dakota $24.62/hr $51,210
Kansas $24.53/hr $51,010
Arkansas $23.27/hr $48,400
North Carolina $23.01/hr $47,860
Nebraska $22.93/hr $47,700
Wyoming $22.76/hr $47,330
Indiana $22.71/hr $47,240
Idaho $22.64/hr $47,100
Alaska $22.63/hr $47,070
New York $22.42/hr $46,630
Puerto Rico $22.3/hr $46,380
Oregon $22.1/hr $45,960
Ohio $21.73/hr $45,190
Tennessee $21.47/hr $44,650
Montana $21.32/hr $44,350
Virginia $21.25/hr $44,210
New Hampshire $20.79/hr $43,250
Utah $20.79/hr $43,250
Wisconsin $20.78/hr $43,220
Massachusetts $20.74/hr $43,150
Guam $20.59/hr $42,830
Michigan $20.31/hr $42,250
Alabama $20.16/hr $41,940
Louisiana $20.12/hr $41,850
South Carolina $20.07/hr $41,750
Washington $20.02/hr $41,640
Maine $19.75/hr $41,090
Kentucky $19.54/hr $40,630
Hawaii $19.39/hr $40,320
New Mexico $19.33/hr $40,200
Iowa $19.31/hr $40,160
Maryland $19.13/hr $39,780
Nevada $18.59/hr $38,670
New Jersey $18.2/hr $37,850
South Dakota $18.03/hr $37,500
California $18.02/hr $37,480
Pennsylvania $17.95/hr $37,350
West Virginia $16.89/hr $35,140


Category: Computer specialists, all other

Total # Employed in the US 195,890
Average Hourly Wage: $37.5/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$20.04 $28.11 $37.02 $46.58 $55.31
Average Yearly Salary $78,010
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$41,680 $58,460 $77,010 $96,890 $115,050
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.6% 6.4% 17.0% 10.5% 44.3% 18.7% 2.5%
Computer specialists, all other — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $50.04/hr $104,080
Mississippi $45.76/hr $95,190
Colorado $39.12/hr $81,360
Missouri $39.03/hr $81,190
Alabama $37.74/hr $78,490
Connecticut $37.33/hr $77,650
Oklahoma $37.27/hr $77,530
Alaska $37.22/hr $77,430
Kansas $37.21/hr $77,400
Wyoming $37.03/hr $77,030
Idaho $36.89/hr $76,740
Delaware $36.75/hr $76,440
Utah $36.69/hr $76,310
Indiana $36.64/hr $76,200
Nevada $36.48/hr $75,870
Ohio $36.46/hr $75,830
New Hampshire $36.46/hr $75,840
South Dakota $36.31/hr $75,530
Virginia $36.1/hr $75,100
Nebraska $35.45/hr $73,740
Maine $35.23/hr $73,290
Arkansas $35.16/hr $73,120
North Dakota $35.08/hr $72,970
Oregon $34.97/hr $72,730
Massachusetts $34.91/hr $72,610
South Carolina $34.61/hr $71,980
West Virginia $34.06/hr $70,850
Puerto Rico $33.9/hr $70,500
Guam $33.45/hr $69,580
New Mexico $33.09/hr $68,820
Tennessee $32.66/hr $67,930
North Carolina $32.55/hr $67,710
Michigan $32.48/hr $67,560
District of Columbia $32.16/hr $66,880
Maryland $31.9/hr $66,340
Montana $31.81/hr $66,170
Washington $31.37/hr $65,240
New York $31.12/hr $64,720
Kentucky $30.45/hr $63,340
Hawaii $30.41/hr $63,260
Wisconsin $29.99/hr $62,380
Louisiana $29.73/hr $61,830
Pennsylvania $28.57/hr $59,430
Iowa $27.53/hr $57,260
New Jersey $27.35/hr $56,890
California $27.02/hr $56,200


Category: Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

Total # Employed in the US 195,890
Average Hourly Wage: $37.5/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$20.04 $28.11 $37.02 $46.58 $55.31
Average Yearly Salary $78,010
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$41,680 $58,460 $77,010 $96,890 $115,050
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.6% 6.4% 17.0% 10.5% 44.3% 18.7% 2.5%


Computer Programs by State & City