What Does a Technical Support Specialist Do? 2026 Career Guide

Key takeaways

Technical support specialists provide customer support and troubleshoot a business’s technology systems. Explore key facts:

• The median annual salary for a technical support specialist is $61,550 [1].

• Technical support specialists answer questions, troubleshoot problems, and make recommendations to improve computer systems.

• You can use communication and problem-solving skills, as well as knowledge of programming languages, to become a technical support specialist.

If you’re detail-oriented, enjoy solving problems and helping people, and have an interest in or background working with computers, this may be the job for you. Explore what a tech specialist does and how you can become one. Afterward, consider enrolling in Microsoft’s IT Support Specialist: Your Launchpad into Tech Professional Certificate. In as little as three months, you’ll have the opportunity to gain the skills needed to succeed in information technology systems analysis and maintenance. Upon completion, you can add this credential to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

What is a technical support specialist?

A technical support specialist handles troubleshooting and problem-solving for a business’s technology systems. This role could also involve working as a tech company’s customer support line and answering calls from clients. In both cases, your goal is to find and fix problems or take care of regular computer maintenance.

Depending on the nature of your job, you might test an organization’s network to ensure everything is operating properly, as well as upgrade software and hardware as needed. You’ll generally work under the guidance of the technical support supervisor or a network or computer administrator.

Technical support specialist salary and job outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for a computer support specialist in 2024 was $61,550 per year, which equals $29.59 per hour [1].

Are technical support specialists in demand?

The BLS predicts that the need for this role will decline at a rate of 3 percent between 2024 and 2034 [1]. However, it also estimates 50,500 job openings each year within the same time frame.

What does a tech support specialist do?

As mentioned above, a tech support specialist typically works in one of two roles or a combination of both. Here are some examples of different duties depending on your role:

• In health care, you might oversee the network used to maintain patients’ records and respond to tech support requests from employees within that health care system.

• If you work for a tech company, such as a company that produces software, you might work in a call center, taking calls or answering emails from customers who need help with a product.

Tech support specialist tasks and responsibilities

As a tech support specialist, your responsibilities will vary from job to job. Because technology is an important part of almost every industry, you may find work in numerous fields, ranging from education to finance. Some typical tech support tasks might include:

• Answering and responding to inquiries, calls, emails, and chat messages from customers and colleagues

• Troubleshooting computer systems

• Diagnosing technological issues

• Setting up accounts and providing access to computer systems

• Providing training on how to use new software and hardware

• Solving problems or making minor repairs to computers and other technology

• Testing various components of a system to ensure they’re functional

• Making recommendations on how to improve an organization’s computer systems

• Installing, updating, and ensuring compatibility of software and hardware

Does tech support require a degree?

If you’d like to begin a career in technical support, you may need at least an associate degree or certifications that demonstrate your knowledge of information technology. For more advanced roles, such as a technical support specialist, you may need to earn your bachelor’s degree and gain some experience in entry-level IT support roles.

Technical support specialist skills

To qualify for tech support jobs, you must possess a certain skill set. This includes technical skills, which allow you to solve problems and do the hands-on aspects of your job, and workplace skills. Workplace skills are the ones that allow you to interact professionally with customers and colleagues. 

Workplace skills

Workplace skills are important to become a successful tech support specialist. Here are some skills to master:

• Communication: Throughout the day, you’ll communicate with customers, computer and network users, colleagues, and more. You may also have to record information about each problem throughout the day, so make sure both your written and oral communication skills are excellent.

• Problem-solving: You will most likely spend your day solving problems that people and organizations have with their computers. You’ll need to be a critical thinker and have great analytical skills. While some answers may come easily, you may need to think outside the box.

• Multitasking and staying organized: You’ll likely encounter issues from multiple people, so you will need to keep up with each one and solve them in a timely manner.

• Customer service: You will often interact with many people, so ensure that you are able to listen, reassure, and prioritize their needs.

Technical skills

For technical support specialist jobs, you’ll need plenty of technical knowledge and computer-related skills. Some areas to focus on might include:

• Microsoft Windows and other operating systems 

• General computer knowledge and maintenance 

• Computer hardware knowledge

• Mobile device knowledge

• Knowledge of programming languages like Java and Python 

• Enterprise operations

• Computer and network security

• Software maintenance and testing

• Microsoft Office 

Technical support specialist career path

In many cases, a technical support specialist is an entry-level position. However, you may find that with experience, you can advance to a more senior position, such as a tech support manager. This career can also help prepare you for other types of technical jobs. You might go on to become a network specialist, software developer, or cybersecurity specialist. 

Education

The path toward becoming a technical support specialist will vary, depending on the knowledge you have and the place you want to work. Some companies may want you to have a degree, while others will not. Some will offer on-the-job training to the right candidate.

According to Zippia, 50 percent of tech support specialists hold a bachelor’s degree, 32 percent have an associate degree, and 7 percent have a high school diploma [2]. Consider enrolling in an associate or bachelor’s degree program in a related field, like computer science, engineering, or information technology. Even if the degree is not necessary for the job, it may impress a potential employer.

Read more: Information Systems vs. Information Technology (IS vs. IT)

Certification

Consider getting certified to enhance your resume. Certain tech companies, such as Microsoft, offer certifications for their products. You can also obtain a general certification from a reputable organization. For example, many regard the CompTIA A+ certification as an industry standard for basic IT knowledge.

Some employers value previous experience as well. Working in customer service can help showcase your workplace skills, while jobs like computer technician or help desk specialist can help you highlight your technical skills. You can use certificate programs such as the Microsoft IT Support Specialist Professional Certificate as an opportunity to create portfolio-ready projects to demonstrate your skills to potential employers.

Explore free IT career resources

Looking to grow professionally? Subscribe to Career Chat, our weekly LinkedIn newsletter. Then, explore free, digital resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Exploring IT Career Paths: Your Guide to a Rewarding Tech Future

• Find a course: Which IT Course Should You Take? Find Out in 1 Minute

• Learn a new skill: Python Basics Cheat Sheet

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses. 

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