The Ultimate Career Resource For Technical Support Specialists
Technical Support is a growing sector that many people opt for.
It is a great career choice if you have moderate technical skills.
Currently, there are approximately 561,874 technical support specialists in the US.
The sector offers many job opportunities each year.
That is why it is a practical career choice.
If you intend to become a technical support specialist, you’re in the right place.
Here is everything you need to know about this career path.
Technical Support Specialist Information
| Official Job Title | Technical Support Specialist |
| Average Salary | $53,288 |
| Stress Level | Average |
| Work/Life | High |
| Job Satisfaction | High |
| Career Advancement | Average |
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Technical Support Specialist Job Description
Below is a comprehensive job description to help you understand the purpose of a technical specialist:
What Is A Technical Support Specialist?
A technical support specialist is a professional responsible for managing software installations and issues.
They also handle hardware and other technical problems.
They offer assistance during different technological issues to ensure user satisfaction.
What Does A Technical Support Specialist Do On A Daily Basis?
A tech specialist primarily resolves various issues daily.
They tackle problems such as the slow performance of software programs.
They fix connection and data access issues too.
Most specialists troubleshoot different programs each day.
Besides that, they interact with customers on call frequently.
Moreover, they test and run evaluations for various tools.
Responsibilities, Duties, & Roles Of A Technical Support Specialist?
A technical support specialist has many responsibilities.
They have to collaborate with other teams to minimize software errors.
Whenever the system is down, they have to restore everything.
Besides that, they are responsible for installing and launching software on customers’ computers.
Their tasks also include fixing client issues by remotely accessing their computer.
They also have to suggest alternatives when a particular software becomes out of date.
Other than that, tech support has to convey complex issues to senior workers.
They also install software on the company’s computers and manage their performance.
So their primary role is to check and diagnose technical faults.
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Technical Support Specialist Salary
Here are the salaries of technical support specialists depending on their position:
Average Salary
The average salary of a technical support specialist is $53,288 per year.
However, location plays a critical role in salaries.
San Francisco has higher average salaries than other regions.
Besides that, New York has more demand for tech specialists.
That is why you must consider the region before stepping into this career.
Starting Salary
The average starting salary of a tech support specialist is $33,526 per year.
Senior Salary
The average salary of a Senior Technical Support Specialist is $65,330 per annum.
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How To Become A Technical Support Specialist
Here are all the things you need to know if you want to become a technical support specialist:
The Entry Level: Certification, Training, & Degree
The education requirement for tech support specialists varies according to their position.
Many organizations accept individuals with GED or high school diplomas.
However, in many cases, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement.
If you are opting for a degree, it must be in computer science or other relevant fields.
Besides that, all employers require at least one completion certificate of computer training.
But keep in mind this is applicable to candidates without a degree.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements, And Qualifications
A tech specialist must have top-notch written and verbal skills.
After all, they have to guide customers on call most days.
Besides that, it is essential to have good management skills.
Other than that, a good amount of knowledge of software languages is necessary.
For example, certification in Linux, Microsoft, or Cisco can help a lot with landing jobs.
Additionally, experience in handling remote desktop software is also necessary.
Other than that, one to three years of experience in a customer-centric position is necessary.
Of course, this should involve technical knowledge as well.
You should also keep in mind that some companies require a minimum of four years of experience too.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Technical Specialist?
This depends on the education situation.
If you pursue a degree, it will take four years to complete.
Besides that, training and certification can take a few months.
Is It Hard To Become A Technical Specialist?
Becoming a tech specialist is relatively easy as it does not require advanced technical skills.
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Technical Support Specialist Career Paths
Are you unsure about following this career path?
If so, here are some details that will help you:
The Technical Support Specialist Roadmap
There are two career roadmaps for tech specialists.
The first one involves completing a GED and then computer training.
This takes relatively less time, but job opportunities will be limited.
The second plan involving a degree is preferable.
Firstly, you will have to spend four years completing your education.
It is preferable to do internships for both roadmaps.
Besides that, you should work hard to turn the internship into a proper job.
This will help achieve the minimum qualifying experience.
Not to mention it will help your resume stand out.
Projections For Growth In Technical Support Specialist Jobs
From 2021 to 2031, the growth projection for tech support jobs is 6%, which is as fast as the average.
The employment change through 2031 will be 56,400 additional jobs.
That is why this is an ideal career choice for many.
However, career advancement is average in this sector.
After all, greater tech skills are necessary for higher roles.
In Summary: Is Technical Support Specialist A Good Career?
There is relatively lower competition in the technical support sector.
So, if you struggle in competitive conditions, this path will be great for you.
However, if you want a high-paying job, you should consider other options.
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Working Conditions
Here are the working conditions of tech support specialists that you should know:
Can A Technical Support Specialist Work Remotely From Home?
Yes, technical support specialists can work remotely if the employer allows it.
But this is not the ideal situation as most organizations prefer to have the individuals on site.
Not to mention the job requires installing and fixing computer issues which are not possible from home in some cases.
How Many Hours Does A Technical Support Specialist Work?
A technical support specialist works on average 40 hours per week.
This can rise significantly depending on the tasks.
Sometimes they even have to work 12 hours a day.
Can A Technical Support Specialist Work Part-Time?
Yes, a support specialist can work part-time.
However, ideally, this is not the case.
Besides that, even when working part-time, the individual has to be available for phone support 24/7.
So even with part-time jobs, technical support specialists have to be on standby.
Additionally, they have to constantly communicate with clients and other company members to resolve issues.
This means that working part-time is not suitable for this field.
What Are The Average Vacation Days Of A Technical Support Specialist?
The average vacation days of tech support specialists vary from company to company.
Typically, employers give ten to fifteen vacation days.
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Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Technical Support Specialist
- Technical Program Manager
- Product Manager
- Security Manager
- Computer Engineer
- HVAC Technician
- Network Administrator
- UX Designer
- Application Developer
- Account Representative
- Engineering Technician
- IT Manager
- Web Designer
- Office Clerk
Resume Tips
To write a stellar resume, here are some essential tips you must follow:
- Write technical and management skills as they are relevant to the job
- Add in volunteer work to show you are suitable for helping people
- Make sure to mention the job-relevant experience too
- List your qualifications and technical certifications
- Quantify your prior accomplishments using percentages
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Interview Questions
As an employer, here are the top questions you can ask during the job interview:
Q1: Talk about at least three new computer processors.
Why it works: It will help you understand the expertise of the candidate.
A capable applicant should be able to differentiate processors easily.
Q2: How do you troubleshoot?
Why it works: This will let you know whether the candidate’s approach is suitable for resolving your customer’s issues.
Q3: How do you keep up with the latest trends in the IT sector?
Why it works: It will allow you to understand if the applicant is well-informed.
Jobs Related To A Technical Support Specialist
Here are some jobs related to this profession:
- Development Specialist
- Technical Engineer
- Help Desk Technician
- Desktop Support Specialist
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For HR Manager: Tips For Hiring A Technical Support Specialist
When hiring a suitable individual, here are some tips to follow as an HR manager:
Key Characteristics To Look For In A Technical Support Specialist
Here are the top characteristics to look for in a tech specialist:
- Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)
- Solid analytical and interpreting skills
- Ability to convey technical issues to non-technical staff and clients
- Proficient with computer software
- High understanding of different computer systems
- Knows how to use Microsoft Office, Linux, and other software
Minimum Level Of Education & Expertise
The minimum level of education is a GED or high school diploma.
But depending on company policies, a degree may be the minimum requirement.
Besides that, a few years of experience in a customer-centric job with IT knowledge is essential.