Occupations · Computer and Mathematical
Computer User Support Specialists
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.
O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 15-1232.00
What it pays
A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage
Pay over time
Median up 15% between 2019 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.
BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.
Where the jobs are
| Metro area | Median wage | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $70,010 | 40,410 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $71,230 | 19,950 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $57,550 | 19,940 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $59,570 | 18,330 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,250 | 17,710 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $59,510 | 17,240 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | $63,370 | 15,860 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $77,750 | 15,640 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $102,430 | 13,690 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $73,230 | 13,510 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,540 | 12,950 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $61,070 | 12,140 |
BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation
Typical education to enter: Some college, no degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
What people in this job actually do
Ordered by how important the work is rated.
- Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
- Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
- Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
- Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
- Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
- Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
- Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
- Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
- Refer major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
- Prepare evaluations of software or hardware, and recommend improvements or upgrades.
- Develop training materials and procedures, or train users in the proper use of hardware or software.
- Inspect equipment and read order sheets to prepare for delivery to users.
O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale
Skills that matter most
Importance, rated 1 to 5.
O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale
Software and tools
A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.
O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag
What this work is actually like
Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.
O*NET 30.3 Job Zones
Working conditions that stand out
O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2023-08
How people actually get in
Share of workers by the education they hold.
O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2023-08
What kind of person the work suits
Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.
O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)
What you take with you
Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.
O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale
Knowledge the work draws on
Abilities it leans on
O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale
How this job is advertised
The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.
O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation
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What changed since 2020
Comparing O*NET release 25.1 (2020-11-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 6 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.
Now listed 47
No longer listed 25
Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.
Related jobs
O*NET 30.3 related occupations
Also called
O*NET 30.3 alternative titles
The same work in Europe
| ESCO occupation | ISCO | Match |
|---|---|---|
| ICT help desk agent | 3512.1 | exact |
| ICT technician | 3512.4 | close |
Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)
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