IT Support Specialist: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

IT Support Specialists earn a national median of $73,340/yr with 1.8% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Computers and Electronics, Telecommunications, Customer and Personal Service.

Median Salary

$73,340

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

1.8%

Slower than average

Employed Nationally

146,450

2024 data

Typical Education

Associate's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a IT Support Specialist

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in IT Support Specialist candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Critical Thinking 2 Active Listening 3 Reading Comprehension 4 Judgment and Decision Making 5 Speaking 6 Active Learning 7 Monitoring 8 Complex Problem Solving 9 Troubleshooting 10 Systems Analysis

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for IT Support Specialist performance, based on verified occupational data.

Computers and Electronics Telecommunications Customer and Personal Service Engineering and Technology English Language

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for IT Support Specialist roles.

Border Gateway Protocol BGP Firewall software Microsoft Active Directory Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Operating system software ServiceNow Adobe Acrobat Apache Tomcat Apple macOS

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 1.8% for IT Support Specialist roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's slower than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
146,450
Projected Growth
1.8%
Typical Education
Associate's degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a IT Support Specialist do?
IT Support Specialists apply expertise in Computers and Electronics, Telecommunications, Customer and Personal Service to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Judgment and Decision Making.
How much does a IT Support Specialist make?
The national median salary for a IT Support Specialist is $73,340 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is IT Support Specialist a good career in 2026?
Employment for IT Support Specialist roles is projected to grow 1.8% over the 2024–2034 decade — slower than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 146,450 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a IT Support Specialist?
The typical entry-level education for a IT Support Specialist is Associate's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do IT Support Specialists need?
The most important skills for IT Support Specialist roles based on verified occupational data: Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Judgment and Decision Making, Speaking, Active Learning, Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Troubleshooting, Systems Analysis. Key tools and technologies include: Border Gateway Protocol BGP, Firewall software, Microsoft Active Directory, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.