How much do IT in the US specialists earn? IT Support Specialist Salaries: What You Need to Know

IT support specialists play a crucial role across many industries, helping to troubleshoot, evaluate, and resolve technical issues for teams, clients, or external customers. Their responsibilities may also include teaching software usage, monitoring IT systems, and managing technical infrastructure. Because job duties, required skills, and areas of expertise vary widely, salaries for IT support specialists can differ significantly.

According to Glassdoor, the median annual salary for an IT support specialist in the U.S. is approximately $70,017, including base pay and additional compensation such as bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing.

What IT Support Specialists Do

IT support specialists respond to IT service requests, diagnose problems, implement repairs, and document technical issues. They also ensure that systems and networks run efficiently and securely. Depending on the company, this role may involve system administration, network troubleshooting, or IT infrastructure management.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Resolving software and hardware issues
2. Providing remote or in-person technical support
3. Monitoring and maintaining IT systems
4. Teaching team members or clients to use programs effectively
5. Ensuring cybersecurity and system updates

Factors That Affect IT Support Salaries

Several factors influence how much IT support specialists earn:

1. Experience Level
2. Entry-level specialists earn less than seasoned professionals. Advanced technical skills and certifications can significantly increase salary potential.
3. Industry
4. Salaries vary depending on whether you work in healthcare, finance, technology, or government sectors. Highly specialized industries often pay more.
5. Location
6. Geographic location is a major factor. IT specialists in cities with higher costs of living, such as San Francisco or New York, typically earn more than those in smaller cities or rural areas.
7. Area of Expertise
8. Specialists with skills in network security, cloud computing, or advanced system administration may earn higher salaries compared to general IT support roles.
9. Job Title and Responsibilities
10. Titles like IT Support Analyst, Desktop Support Specialist, or Technical Support Engineer can come with varying salary ranges depending on duties and seniority.

Certification and Skills That Boost Earnings

Investing in professional development can increase earning potential. Popular certifications and skill sets include:

1. Google IT Support Certificate (entry-level career readiness in IT)
2. Operating system and network administration
3. Cybersecurity and threat management
4. Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
5. Technical communication and customer support skills

Key Takeaways

IT support specialist salaries depend on a combination of experience, location, industry, certifications, and job responsibilities. While the median salary in the U.S. is around $70,000 per year, professionals with specialized skills or working in high-cost areas can earn significantly more.

For anyone considering a career in IT support, investing in relevant certifications, gaining experience, and choosing the right industry or location can make a meaningful difference in earning potential.

Average IT Support Specialist Salary by Experience

Education and experience play a major role in determining IT support specialist salaries. About 50% of technical support specialists hold a bachelor’s degree, 32% have an associate degree, 7% have a high school diploma, and 5% hold a master’s degree. Common fields of study include computer science, business, computer information systems, and information technology.

As you gain experience and develop skills, you can solve problems more efficiently, which often leads to higher pay. According to Glassdoor (July 2025), the median total pay for IT support specialists by experience level is:

1. Entry-level (0–1 year): $62,000 per year
2. Mid-level (1–3 years): $66,000 per year
3. Senior-level (4–6 years): $70,000 per year

These figures include base salary plus additional pay, such as bonuses, profit-sharing, or commissions.

Salary by IT Support Tier

IT support roles are often divided into tiers based on responsibility and complexity, ranging from tier 0 (self-help for end users) to tier 4 (third-party vendor support). Focusing on the standard organizational tiers 1–3, median salaries as of July 2025 are:

1. Tier 1 ($69,176): Entry-level specialists handling the first line of support. Responsibilities include logging incidents, troubleshooting basic issues, assisting users with account management, and escalating complex problems to higher tiers.
2. Tier 2 ($74,865): Specialists handling advanced technical issues, such as data backup and recovery, backend management, and resolving significant technical problems.
3. Tier 3 ($85,571): Subject matter experts responsible for monitoring support queues, solving critical incidents, and creating knowledge resources for other support staff.

Salary Impact of Certifications

Certifications can significantly boost your earning potential, especially for IT support specialists looking to specialize or transition from another field. Some of the highest-paying IT certifications in the U.S. include:

1. AWS Certified Security: $203,597
2. Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect: $190,204
3. Nutanix Certified Professional Multicloud Infrastructure (NCP-MCI): $175,409
4. CCSP Certified Cloud Security Professional: $171,524
5. CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional: $168,060

By acquiring technical certifications, IT support specialists can advance into higher-paying roles and demonstrate expertise in specific areas like cloud computing, cybersecurity, or multicloud infrastructure.

In short, an IT support specialist’s salary grows with education, experience, tier level, and certifications. Those who pursue advanced skills and professional credentials can significantly increase their earning potential while advancing their careers.

In other words:

Average IT Support Specialist Salary by Industry

An IT support specialist’s salary can vary significantly depending on the industry they work in. According to Glassdoor (July 2025), some of the highest-paying industries for technical support specialists in the U.S. include:

1. Financial Services: $70,000 per year
2. Aerospace and Defense: $81,000 per year
3. Government and Public Administration: $87,000 per year
4. Legal: $74,000 per year
5. Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology: $66,000 per year

These figures include base pay and additional compensation such as bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing.

Average Salary by Location

Location is another key factor affecting salaries. Companies often adjust pay based on cost of living, local demand for IT talent, and local income taxes. Median salaries in some high-paying states include:

1. New York: $63,781 per year
2. District of Columbia: $61,810 per year
3. Louisiana: $54,861 per year
4. Delaware: $58,423 per year
5. Utah: $56,619 per year

Keep in mind that a higher salary in expensive areas may not always mean more disposable income, due to the cost of living differences.

Average Salary by Job Title

IT support falls under a broader technical support umbrella. Salaries vary depending on specific roles and responsibilities:

1. Help Desk Technician: Also called a help desk agent, this role focuses on resolving end users’ technical problems. Average salary: $57,794 per year.
2. Computer Support Specialist: Provides technical help, installs, tests, and maintains computer systems. Average salary: $68,303 per year.
3. Systems Support Specialist: Handles more complex issues, including hardware/software installation, cable repairs, data backup, malware removal, and staff training. Average salary: $93,782 per year.

IT Support Specialist Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% growth in demand for computer support specialists from 2023 to 2033. This equates to about 62,700 job openings per year, which is faster than the average growth rate for all U.S. occupations.

This steady demand, combined with opportunities for skill advancement and certification, makes IT support a promising career path for individuals seeking stable employment in technology.

Read more:

The Real Cost of Raising a Child in the U.S.

Why Are Brands So Expensive? Understanding the Price Behind the Label

How Do I Get Out of or Manage Debt

What Is a Savings Account? Everything You Need to Know

What Should I Do If I’m Buying a Home

Tags:

IT support specialist salary, technical support careers, IT certifications and pay, computer support job outlook