What Do IT Support Specialists Do? And How To Become One

An IT support specialist helps manage the technical and administrative tasks involved in the planning, installation it support in essex and maintenance of a company’s computers, workstations and servers. Those in this role are responsible for helping users with any technical challenges they may experience. They also evaluate products like computers, software programs, data storage solutions and accessories like printers and monitors to assess their compatibility.

They might also install, upgrade and troubleshoot hardware and software on behalf of their employer and track performance and progress via reports.
If you plan to enter this field, it helps to have strong communication skills and knowledge of common computer systems. IT support specialists often help those outside of the tech industry understand and use complex tech systems, so it’s beneficial if you can explain these concepts clearly and solve technical problems for other departments.

What does an IT support specialist do?
The IT support specialist is a high-demand position primarily because their function is crucial to the successful daily operations of most businesses. An IT support specialist can expect to perform the following tasks:

Assist users in troubleshooting common computer issues or concerns
Reply to requests for IT services, repairs, support, inquiries or complaints
Refer user messages or calls to the appropriate IT personnel
Use a computer tracking system to manage new tickets
Make recommendations to improve computer systems
Provide documentation for customer support inquiries and resolutions
Upgrade and manage systems to ensure they are operating effectively and efficiently

Implement new business and productivity software
Train staff on new software, systems and best practices
Maintain and back up security databases
Update knowledge bases for employees
Interact with hardware and software vendors

Repair, select and upgrade the organization’s hardware
Document all technical processes, upgrades and decisions
Hire and train entry-level IT support specialists
Related: Types of Computer Servers and How They Function

Salary and job outlook for IT support specialists
The national average salary for a support specialist is $49,107 per year. Remember that individual salaries can vary by industry, geographic location, education level and experience. IT support specialists can vary in seniority and responsibilities, and senior-level specialists could earn more than entry-level specialists.

The job outlook for this career is positive, as the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that all computer occupations could grow 15% by 2031. The BLS expects jobs for computer user support specialists to grow by 6% and jobs for computer network support specialists to grow by 7%. According to the BLS, this demand could be because of the ongoing need for support, maintenance and upgrades on software and hardware, but automation tools and outsourcing could influence the industry, too.