Career
Computer user support specialists
Help people solve their computer problems.
Here's what you actually need to know.
The work
What people in this job do
- 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.
The outlook
How the forecast changed this year
AI
BLS now cites artificial intelligence in this occupation's outlook: “share decreases as more businesses offshore their computer user support or solve computer troubleshooting needs using generative artificial intelligence (AI).”
The deeper question
What kind of person does this path ask you to become?
What this work centers on
O*NET interest profile, scored 1–7.
The work
Do you want most of your days spent on information & systems, then objects & tools?
Responsibility
Are you willing to be the one responsible for this?
“Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.”
Development
What would you need to build over the next 5–10 years?
Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking.
Trade-offs
What does it ask of you in exchange?
Varies of education after high school (some college, no degree), for a median of $61,860 a year and 39,700 openings nationally each year.
Paths in
Degrees that lead here
- Health AdministrationSee the degree →
- Information Technology ManagementSee the degree →
- Agricultural BusinessSee the degree →
- Agricultural Business Technology/TechnicianCIP 01.0106
- Computer Support SpecialistCIP 11.1006
- Medical Office Computer Specialist/AssistantCIP 51.0709
Paths across
Careers that use similar skills
- Computer Network Support Specialists$76,220 · +1.2%
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$99,130 · -4.1%
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Computer Systems Analysts$105,850 · +7.9%
- Software Developers$135,980 · +10.2%
Ask anything about this career.
“Would this make sense if I don't want to sit at a desk all day?” Answers will come from the sources on this page, with citations. Coming soon.
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Sources
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- BLS Employment Projections, 2024–34 (archived), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), National Center for O*NET Development / U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk, NCES and BLS. Retrieved 2026-10-01.