Computer User Support Specialists

15-1232.00 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

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: Application Customer Service Representative (Application CSR), Application Support Engineer, Applications Analyst, Automatic Data Processing Customer Liaison (ADP Customer Liaison), Call Center Support Representative (Call Center Support Rep), Cloud Operations Specialist, Computer Customer Support Specialist, Computer Hardware Technician (Computer Hardware Tech), ...

Annual Salary

$60,340

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$47,580 25th – 75th percentile $77,010
10th percentile $38,780
90th percentile $98,010
U.S. Employment: 697,210

Job Outlook

-3.7%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)

Annual Job Openings 40,800 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Some college, no degree
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
  • Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
  • Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
  • 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.
  • Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
  • Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
  • Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
  • Develop training materials and procedures, or train users in the proper use of hardware or software.
  • Refer major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0
Active Listening 4.0
Speaking 4.0
Critical Thinking 3.8
Complex Problem Solving 3.6
Writing 3.5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.3
Service Orientation 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Computers and Electronics 4.9
Customer and Personal Service 4.1
Telecommunications 3.9
English Language 3.8
Education and Training 3.7
Mechanical 3.7
Engineering and Technology 3.6
Administration and Management 3.6

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Bachelor's
47.3%
Certificate
32.3%
Associate's
13.7%
Professional
4.1%
Some College
1.9%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop AJAX Amazon Redshift Amazon Web Services AWS software Ansible software Apache Cassandra Apache Hadoop Apache Hive Apache Kafka Apache Maven Apache Subversion SVN Apache Tomcat Apple iOS Apple macOS Atlassian Confluence Atlassian JIRA Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Revit Bash Bentley MicroStation C C# C++ Cascading style sheets CSS Chef Cisco Webex

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.4
Dependability
2.3
Attention to Detail
2.0
Cooperation
1.8
Perseverance
1.8
Intellectual Curiosity
1.7
Social Orientation
1.7
Adaptability

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Oral Comprehension 4.0
Written Comprehension 4.0
Oral Expression 4.0
Written Expression 3.9
Near Vision 3.9
Speech Clarity 3.6
Problem Sensitivity 3.6
Deductive Reasoning 3.6

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Working with Computers 4.8
Getting Information 4.5
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 4.4
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.3
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.3
Processing Information 4.1
Documenting/Recording Information 3.9
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 3.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

E-Mail
5.0
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.9
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.8
Telephone Conversations
4.6
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.6
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
4.4
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.4
Contact With Others
4.4
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
4.3
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
4.2
Frequency of Decision Making
4.1
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.1

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.